Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

Sexy, stylish and all-out crazy!  “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” may lack the underdog style that people loved of Takashi Miike’s first film, but if you love crazy antics, sexy costumes and a lot of action and are wanting to see a superhero storyline done in a J-Pop style…this film is for you!

Images courtesy of © 2010 Zebraman 2 Film Partners. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City

FILM RELEASE: 2010

DURATION: 123 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080i High Definition (16×9 HD Native), Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Japanese, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: FUNimation Entertainment

RATED: TV 14

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Directed by Takashi Miike

Screenplay by Kankuro Kudo

Produced by Akio Hattori, Takashi Hirano, Arimasa Okada, Makoto Okada

Music by Yorihiro Ike, Yoshihiro Ike

Cinematography by Kazushige Tanaka

Edited by Kenji Yamashita

Casting by Yoshiko Arae

Art Direction by Akira Sakamoto

Starring:

Sho Aikawa as Zebraman

Riisa Naka as Zebra Queen

Tsuyoshi Abe as Niimi

Masahiro Inoue as Shimpei

The year is 2025. Tokyo has fallen and the world cries out for a hero. It cries for Zebraman. This striped crime fighter is the only hope for those who live in fear of the Zebra Queen, a hooved seductress out to conquer the world with the aide of her Miniskirt Zebra Police.

The Queen has stolen Zebraman’s powers and instituted Zebra Time: ten horrifying minutes each day when murder is legal! Without his super strength, Zebraman is just a guy with a mane – a broken-down hero unable to stop the onslaught of evil. Before he can take a bite out of the bad guys, Zebraman must find the young girl who holds the secret to regaining his ass-kicking powers and prove, once and for all, that a hero never changes his stripes!

In 2004, Takashi Miike (“13 Assassins”, “Ichi the Killer”, “Audition”) would surprise his viewers by taking on a superhero action/comedy film.

Taking place in 2010, the film would feature a story about a 3rd grade teacher and family man named Shinichi Ichikawa who’s life is not going all that great. His wife cheats on him, his teenage daughter dates older men and his son is constantly bullied because his father is a teacher. His students disrespect him.  Life, is not a happy one for Shinichi.

In order to get away from life, he dresses up at night as “Zebraman”, a character from an unpopular 1970′s tokusatsu TV series that he watched as a child. While crimes and murders occur near the school that he teaches, Shinichi decides to confront these criminals as Zebraman but quickly learns that these criminals are actually possessed by aliens and somehow, he absorbs a special power to take on the aliens.

As the film was enjoyed by many, Miike decided to create a second film but this time taking place in 2025, 15 years after the events of “Zebraman”.

This time around, Tokyo has been taken control of governor Kozo Aihara (played by Guadalcanal Taka) who has significantly cut crime in Japan and because of what he accomplished, to further cut down the crime, he has merged Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and surrounding areas and renamed the region as Zebra City.

At 5:00 AM/PM, the government has allowed for “Zebra Time”, in which Zebra police and his Zebra Mini-Skirt Police can attack and kill any presumed criminal.  And during “Zebra Time”, his daughter Yui/the Zebra Queen played by Riisa Naka) performs for her audience and is a major pop star, while behind-the-scenes, she is a sadistic and psychotic woman!

Meanwhile, we are given a glimpse to what has happened to Zebraman/Shinichi Ichikawa.  15-years ago, he was captured by Kozo Aihara and for some reason, he and a young girl, Sumire (played by Mei Nagano) were experimented on for some reason and now his hair is white.

One day, he is seen running fro the Zebra police during Zebra Time and is shot dozens of times.  He is rescued by Junpei Ichiba (played by Naoki Tanaka) and taken to the White Horse camp that is off-limits to Zebra City and is run by Kohei Asano (played by Masahiro Inoue), a nurse and the leader of the camp.  Asano is shocked to see his former teacher Ichikawa at the camp but it appears he has lost all his memory within the last 15-years.

While rehabilitating, he is introduced by Junpei to the “Zebraman” TV series which Junpei played the hero in costume.  And immediately, Junpei starts to gain some memories and starts to go crazy.  While Asano sedates him, Junpei wants to know the truth of how Shinichi is able to not have any injuries when he was attacked by the Zebra police and Asano tells him the truth… Shinichi Ichikawa is the original Zebraman.

Meanwhile, Yui and her trusted samurai guardian named Niimi (played by Tsuyoshi Abe) are trying to find a girl who has an alien inside her.  If Yui can capture this alien, she can be the most powerful woman in the planet and release “Zebra Time” on the world.  But her father does not want them going after the alien because of the incidents that took place 15-years ago.  If anything, he doesn’t want her to pursue them and focus on bringing “Zebra Time” to the United States.

Back in the camp, Shinichi meets a girl named Sumire, who doesn’t talk.  But for some reason, she begins communicating with Shinichi and when she touches him, she awakens part of his memories and also revives his Zebraman powers.  Shinichi is not sure why Sumire can do such a thing but it also awakens Yui’s power and for some reason, she can feel what Shinichi is feeling.

Seeing her father as a distraction in obtaining the alien, she kills her father and immediately, they put the blame on the White Horse camp.  So, she creates a law to incorporate the camp into Zebra City in order to bring Zebra Time to the camp.

This leads to a clash between both Zebraman and Yui and Zebraman just realizes, she is him?  The darker side of him?  He sports the white for good, she sports the black for evil.

And as the Zebra Police, in a grand army led by Niimi attempts to go to the White Horse camp to get Sumire, will anyone be able to stop them from succeeding?

VIDEO:

“Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” is presented in 1080i High Definition (2:40:1).  The film definitely looks fantastic for the majority of the film.  The film was shot with a lot of green screen and given a J-Pop heavy black, tad bit higher exposure to have this sort of look that is quite common in J-Pop music videos and also adds an interesting style to the film.  During Yui’s scenes, we are greeted with darker blacks and vibrant colors, while Shinichi’s scenes are daytime earthtones.  During the latter part of the film, at night, I did notice slight banding during the fire scenes but for the most part, the film looks very good.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” is presented in Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and is presented with English subtitles.  The lossless audio for the film is what stands out the most.  Dialogue is crystal clear, as with the music which has a good amount of bass.  But the surround channels are used for ambiance, sirens and the more action-intensive sequences.  While the soundtrack is not fully immersive, you do get a good amount of surround during the action scenes.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” comes with the following special features on a second Blu-ray disc:

• The Making of Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City – (1:26:18) Behind the scenes on the making of “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City”.  Especially the action sequences for actress Riisa Naka.
• The Making of the “Zebra Queen’s Theme” Music Video – Behind-the-scenes making of the music video and interviews with Riisa Naka.
• Interview with Director Takashi Miike – (6:56)  Interview with Director Takashi Miike who talks about the challenge he put on the talent and crew for the making of this film.
• Interview with Riki Abe - (4:27) Riki Abe talks about playing Niimi.
• Interview with Show Aikawa – (5:23) Show talks about reprising his role as Shinichi and Zebraman.
• Interview with Masahiro Inoue – (4:57) Masahiro talks about preparing and playing the role of Asano.
• Interview with Riisa Naka – (5:13) Riisa talks about playing Yui/Zebra Queen.
• Original Commercial – (1:21) Original TV spots.
• Theatrical Trailers – (1:44) The original theatrical trailers for “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City”.

I suppose the best way to describe Takashi Miike’s “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” is ambitious and a Japanese popcorn action-film that tries to blend a superhero film with comedy.

And at times, I felt as if I was watching an extended version of a music video, so far from the concept of the original film which was more underdog who has been bullied and disrespected, saving the world from aliens.  In this case, screenwriter Kankuro Kudo (“Ping Pong”, “Zebraman”, “Go”, “Maiko Haaaan!!!”) was incorporating that crazy style that he was known for in “Maiko Haaaan!!!” of make-believe and a serious dramatic story with this sequel, and for the most part, many Japanese film critics and audiences didn’t go for it.

Everyone loves the underdog rising to the occasion type of film but “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” was trying to go for a storyline that seemed appropriate for an anime or even a video game, but perhaps that was the goal… to bring something that seemed plausible for those mediums and taking all the unbelievable craziness and bring it to the big screen.

And because the story seems to have unusual pacing, some western viewers may feel turned off by the overall film.

But if you are familiar with Takashi Miike films or even Kankuro Kudo screenplays and are familiar with Japanese action/comedy cinema, you know what you’re going to get, it’s just about how satisfied you feel after watching it.

As a Japanese popcorn action film, I felt that it had a good amount of laughs and action and for most guys, seeing actress Riisa Naka (who usually plays “pure”  dramatic roles) all bound with leather, push-up bra and showcasing a lot of skin and sexy dance choreography, I wouldn’t be surprised if people enjoyed the film much more because of her character role.

As for the Blu-ray release, it’s a pretty good Blu-ray release from FUNimation Entertainment as you get plenty of special features and also a DVD included.  Picture quality was good for 1080i but had some banding issues, but it’s a pretty slick and stylish presentation that I enjoyed.  And the lossless soundtrack was also enjoyable to listen as well.  If anything, I wish the direct-to-video movie (“Zebra Miniskirt Police no Gyakushu) featuring the Mini-Skirt Police was included (this was released several months before the film in Japan and takes place one year before the events of the second film).

But compared to the original “Zebraman”, the storyline of “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” is much weaker and also ambitious in trying to balance the action and comedy of this sci-fi superhero film.   There are quite a few plot holes and do we ever find out what happens to the Zebra Mini-Skirt Police?  They were just forgotten…

Needless to say, despite the weakness of the story, I do credit the costume designer especially for the outfit of the Zebra Queen and the final combined Zebraman outfit but most importantly, the visual effects team who did a good job.

For those who are wondering if they can watch this second film without seeing the first, the answer is “yes”.  You get a pretty good backstory to Shinichi and Zebraman but it would be nice if FUNimaton Entertainment does release the original “Zebraman” on Blu-ray.

But “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” is a crazy, fun, action film with a weak plot but where else can you find a film where you hear crazy sound effects, such as those that accompany Shinichi’s blinking or a huge alien (that reminded me of the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man of “Ghostbusters”) who is able to hurt people with it’s gigantic fart.

But the way it ended, I felt it was too ridiculous to end the film in such a way and it actually dampered my overall feeling for the film.

Overall, “Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City” may not be for everyone but if you love the crazy antics of action anime and manga series, love superhero films, you may find this sequel to be to your liking.

 

The Treasure Hunter (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

If you watched filmmaker Yen-ping Chu and Jay Chou’s first collaboration in the 2008 film “Kung-Fu Dunk”, it doesn’t get any better with “The Treasure Hunter”.  Visually, it’s a pleasing popcorn action film but as far as its story goes, unfortunately it’s confusing and not that good. 

Images courtesy of © 2011 FUNimation Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Treasure Hunter (Ci Ling)

FILM RELEASE: 2009

DURATION: 105 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, Dolby True HD Mandarin and English 2.0, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: Eleven Arts/FUNimation Entertainment

RATED: TV 14

Release Date: November 15, 2011

Directed by Yen-ping Chu

Produced by Yang Du

Music by Ricky Ho

Starring:

Jay Chou as Qiao Fei

Chilling Lin as Lan Ting

Eric Tsang as Pork Chop

Daoming Chen as Master Hua

Chu-he Chen as Desert Eagle

Will Liu as Friday

Pu Miao as Swords Thirteen

Ian Powers as Russian Smuler

Kenneth Tsang as Tu Lao-dai

Qiaofei (Jay Chou) is a relic expert with a gritty past. When his mentor’s daughter is held hostage over a map with a deadly history, the rugged warrior whips into action! Chaos erupts as he swoops in to the rescue and scours the sands for legendary riches buried deep in China’s northwest desert. Chased down by the shadowy Sandstorm Legion and challenged by countless greedy, bloodthirsty foes, Qiaofei faces danger at every turn to find the tomb – but some treasures aren’t meant to be found.

Jay Chou is a talented, chart-topping singer/musician from Taiwan.

Known in America for his role as Kato in the 2011 film “The Green Hornet”, most of Jay Chou’s previous films were films that I guess many people can call them “growth” films.  A musician turned actor who grows with each film.  Beginning with his starring role in “Initial D”, starring with two powerhouse talent in “Curse of the Golden Flower” with Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li but to create more “growth” films with “Kung Fu Dunk” (2008), followed by “The Treasure Hunter” (2009).

And now, “The Treasure Hunter” receives its Blu-ray and DVD release in America courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment.

The film begins with a tale of two men who fight on the dunes.  While one will win the title of “Desert Eagle”, the other would lose and never come back.

We then learn about how many have searched for hidden treasure in the dunes but many have literally been unsuccessful.

For Lan Ting (played by actress Lin Chi-ling), her father is a well known archaeologist/treasure hunter searching for the treasure.   But not more to steal it, but to make sure no one takes it.  As Qiao Fei (played by Jay Chou) works for Lan Ting’s father, his goal is to find treasure and return it back to their respective owners.

Qiao Fei is a man who has excellent martial arts fighting skills but he is also a man of mystery.

During one inspection of stolen treasure, Qiao Fei takes on a supernatural knight who rematerialized after he rings a bell (which he was told not to do).  But during the inspection, he discovers a map, the map that would lead people to the lost treasure in the dunes.  A map that must be protected at all cost.

But for Lan Ting, she has nothing but ill feelings towards her father because he has chosen his career and dedicated his life to finding the treasure in the dunes than being there for his family.

One day, Lan Ting’s father asks Qiao Fei to talk to his daughter about coming to visit him for dinner and we quickly learn that both Lan Ting and Qiao Fei have this not-so-kind relationship but he is the middleman to both as he tells them what both are up to.

Meanwhile, as Lan Ting decides whether or not to visit her father, he is visited by the notorious crime group known as “The Company” who are looking for the map.  Meanwhile, another group led by Pork Chop (played by Eric Tsang) kidnaps Lan Ting in order to blackmail her father in giving the map to them.  And to assist them in finding the treasure area, a man named Master Hua Ding Bang (played by Chen Daoming), who was the sole surviving member of an expedition crew that last searched for the treasure will be joining them.

Because Lan Ting was kidnapped, Qiao Fei is forced to give the map to Pork Chop’s crew but to give her the bad news that her father has been killed.  Pork Chop is shocked and tells them that they have nothing to do with it as they just kidnapped the daughter.

But immediately, a man from nowhere comes and steals the map which leads to a battle between Qiao Fei and the assailant.  Meanwhile, out of nowhere, a child steals the map and brings it to his mysterious boss in the desert.

Having to face all sorts of dangers in the dunes, now the treasure hunter Qiao Fei, along with Lan Ting (with Pork Chop crew not far behind) must find the map before anyone steals the treasure.

VIDEO:

“The Treasure Hunter” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:35:1).  The picture quality is quite warm and sports plenty of detail during the daytime, cooler colors during the night time.  Detail is very well-done as we can see the detail around the treasure relics, to the detail of the cool special effects featured in the film.  Black levels are deep and overall, picture quality for the film is very good.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Treasure Hunter” is presented in Dolby TrueHD 2.0 Mandarin and English.  I was surprised that this film was only a 2.0 mix but for the most part, the front channels definitely get a lot of work in showcasing the many sound effects during the intense action sequences of the film.  From windstorms, to shrieks by possessed characters and more!

It’s important to note that I did not listen to the English dub track as I prefer to watch Asian films in their original language.  With that being said, despite not liking English dialogue for Asian cinema, FUNimation Entertainment is well-known for their English dubs and doing a great work with them, so if you prefer English dubs instead of reading English subtitles, you do have that option.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“The Treasure Hunter” comes with the following special feature:

• Original Trailer – (2:08) Original theatrical trailer for “The Treasure Hunter”.

EXTRAS:

“The Treasure Hunter” comes with a slipcover case.

Another collaboration between Taiwan filmmaker Chu Yen-ping (“The King of Comics”, “Kung Fu Dunk”) and music artist/actor Jay Chou plus popular Hong Kong action choreographer Ching Siu-tung (“A Chinese Ghost Story” and “Swordsman” films), “The Treasure Hunter” was an interesting action film that tried to incorporate too much.

First, as mentioned earlier, this is a “growth” film for Jay Chou.  As a singer, he wanted to improve his acting, so he did a few popcorn action films, one was “Kung Fu Dunk” and the other was this film “The Treasure Hunter”.  Needless to say, these two films are not the best, and while they are both flashy in different ways, they are primarily popcorn action films with a popular singer as the main star.

And while these two Chu Yen-ping films are good starting blocks for Jay Chou’s acting and are literally stylish action films, while “Kung Fu Dunk” tried to capture the feel of “Shaolin Soccer” (which it failed to accomplish), “The Treasure Hunter” tries to be a martial arts Indiana Jones-style film with more plot holes than holes in Swiss cheese.

One thing that we know of the film is that Jay Chou plays a treasure hunter that returns the treasure back to their owners.  We know there is sexual attraction between treasure hunter Qiao Fei and his mentor’s daughter Lan Ting.

The problem of the film is that it introduces a lot of things to the film that make no sense.  From the hoard of attacking warriors on the dune and they happen to be stuck inside a diner, its reminiscent of the American film “Legion” but what is their purpose, we don’t know.  It seems that the film tried to incorporate one large action chase scene for action-sake, with nothing impacting the storyline.

Before the attack by the dune warriors, we see a soldier attacking Qiao Fei, but what is his purpose in the film?  Why even give this non-essential character a closeup.

And then all of a sudden, the film tries to become a zombie/vampire like film when Pork Chop’s employees start eating flowers that have grown from a dead corpse, thus making him to a zombie with super abilities.

And while it was one thing to introduce these supernatural beasts or whatever they are, we are introduced to a storyline that revolves around a woman named Dao-Dao and the Desert Eagle, which plays an impact to the story in the beginning and about Qiao Fei’s past.  But the brief interaction with Desert Eagle is so short that you wonder why the writer chose to introduce it to the storyline.

Unfortunately, as much as the film does look cool in terms of its warm colorized look and the visual effects, especially the fight choreography, the film was disappointing.

And what makes it even worse is that the film that Yen-ping Chu and Jay Chou did before this, was also the same.  Full of style, cool fight choreography but a storyline that tried to add to much but got nowhere.

The Blu-ray release is also “OK”.  While the picture quality is very good, we are only given a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 soundtrack (Mandarin and in English) and for special features, just a single trailer.

Needless to say, Jay Chou fans are going to watch this film because it features Jay Chou.  But the film didn’t do well in Taiwan and was a box office failure.  But since Jay Chou has become internationally well-known because of his work on “The Green Hornet”, the collaboration between him and Yen-ping Chu for their second film together is another mess.

It’s unfortunate because I respect Jay Chou as a fan of his music and I have been supportive of his growth as an actor, even when he first starred in “Initial D”, but his two films with Yen-ping Chu may give him that acting experience but unfortunately they are bad films.  Again, these films were made before “The Green Hornet”, so hopefully, he gets better film roles to star in.

“The Treasure Hunter” is more eye-candy and a popcorn action-film with an anemic, kitschy storyline that is too confusing to be any good.

 

City of Life and Death (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“City of Life and Death” is the most visceral war film that I have seen to effectively capture the atrocities and the brutality of the Nanking massacre in cinema.  This is an unforgettable film that resonates within you for a very long time with its realistic and stunning cinematography.  Director Lu Chuan has created a masterpiece!  This Blu-ray is fantastic!  ”City of Life and Death” is highly recommended!

Images courtesy of © 2009 China Film Group Corporation/Stellar Mega Films Ltd./Jian Su Broadcasting Corporation/Media Asia Films. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: City of Life and Death

FILM RELEASE: 2009

DURATION: 113 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1920x1080p (2:35:1), Mandarin with optional English Subtitles

COMPANY: Lorber Films/Kino Lorber

RATED: Not Rated

Release Date: October 25, 2011

Written and Directed by Lu Chuan

Produced by John Chong, Sanping Han, Hong Qin, Andy Zhang, Li Zhou

Music by Tong Liu

Cinematography by Yu Cao

Edited by Yun Teng

Production Design by Yi Hao

Starring:

Ye Liu as Lu Jianxiong

Yuanyuan Gao as Miss Jiang

Hideo Nakaizumi as Kadokawa

Wei Fan as Mr. Tang

Yiyan Jiang as Xiao Jiang

Ryu Kohata as Ida

Bin Liu as Xiadouzi

Yuki Miyamoto as Yuko

John Paisley as John Rabe

Beverly Peckous as Minnie Vautrin

Lan Qin as Mrs. Tang

Sam Voutas as Durdin

Di Yao as Tang Xiaomei

Yisui as Shunzi

On December 9, 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army laid siege to the Chinese capital of Nanking, beginning a reign of terror that killed as many as 300,000 civilians — an infamous tragedy now referred to as the Rape of Nanking. The first big-budget fiction film by the Chinese to deal with this seminal event in their modern history, CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH is a visceral, heartbreaking portrait of life during wartime, and an unforgettable masterpiece of contemporary world cinema.

For many years, I have been waiting for a powerful film that would show people of the atrocities that took place from December 1937-January 1938 in the capital city of Nanking.

While there have been several films on what occurred in Nanking over seventy years ago, young writer/director Lu Chuan accomplished what many felt he couldn’t do, to create a realistic portrayal of the genocide.

Known as the Nanking Massacre and also the “Rape of Nanking”, the atrocities were committed during the Second Sino-Japanese War when the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army slaughtered civilians of all ages, raped women until they died.  It is estimated that 300,000 people were massacred.

Despite records kept by Nazi-supporter John Rabe (the person who tried to save the Chinese in Nanking by developing a safe zone) , the records kept by Westerners working for the Red Cross or were missionaries and journalists and residents who witnessed the atrocities, to this day, the genocide of the civilians of Nanking is still being disputed by Japanese nationalists who believe that the massacre was fabricated.

Needless to say, because of the war and atrocities that were committed during the war, it remains to be a tense and problematic situation between both countries today.

I have researched the Nanking (or Nanjing) Massacre since I was in college, as my eyes were opened to the atrocities committed, I know that many people around the world are not familiar of what happened to the Chinese people.  And since the ’90s, I have been wanting to see novels receive film adaptations and while there have been several films featuring John Rabe and also bits and pieces of the battle of Nanking, there have not been many movies that would realistically capture the battle but also the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial troops towards the Chinese people of Nanking.

Especially since its a touchy subject and the fact that many Chinese still hold a lot of pain and anger towards the Japanese because of the war.  And for director Lu Chuan, his goal was to create a realistic portrayal of the atrocities committed towards the innocent civilians of Nanking but also to show a sympathetic side to the Japanese and show that while what the Japanese Imperial soldiers did do to Chinese was barbaric, it does not make the whole country barbaric.

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Lu Chuan said, “Yes, Japanese people committed a crime but maybe it’s not a fault of a certain nation, maybe it’s a fault of the war, so I’m not going to make a movie against a certain nation, but against the war. If the government forces us to go to the battlefield, everybody can be a killer.”

But most importantly, it was a film that Chuan, who did countless research, lived and studied in Nanking wanted the film for people outside of China to know about what took place in Nanking.

“City of Life and Death” was created with a budget of $10 million, casting of hundreds of people which would include both Chinese and Japanese talent and the film would receive rave reviews from critics worldwide and would win numerous awards around the world for “Best Film” and “Best Cinematography”.

“City of Life and Death” is a film that begins shortly after the start of the Second Sino-Japanese war, the Imperial Japanese army has captured the capital of the Republic of China, Nanking and because of that, many of the Chinese commaders of the KMT began to flee Nanking.  Meanwhile, soldier Lu Jianxiong (played by Liu Ye), his comrade Zhao try to fight the fleeing Chinese troops from abandoning the city.  But as the Chinese soldiers attempt to leave, they are captured by the Japanese Imperial troops.

As the Japanese scour the city, we are introduced to Japanese soldier Sergeant Masao Kadokawa (played by Hideo Nakaizumi).  Like everyone on the Japanese side, they are low on food and drinks, so they loot the Chinese restaurants for anything to drink.

The soldiers who are led by Ida (played by Ryu Kohata) are approached by Dr. John Rabe (played by John Paisley) and Mr. Tang (played by Wei Fan).   [Note: John Rabe was a foreign national from Germany and a Nazi-supporter who along with 15 American and European missionaries and businessman created the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone.  The Safety Zone provided Chinese refugees with food and shelter and prevent them from being slaughtered by the Japanese Imperial troops).

As Rabe tries to talk to Ida and tell them that Japanese can not interfere with the Safety Zone and that he is German and is a Nazi, he hopes that because of Germany and Japan's alliance, he could deter them from hurting the Chinese.  But unfortunately, Ida could care less about what Rabe and Mr. Tang have to say and continue on their way to scouring the city.

We see a small group of Japanese soldiers led by Commander Ida (played by Ryu Kohata) which includes Sgt. Kadokawa approach a church-like area and as they go inside, they see possibly thousands of men, women, children, elderly and wounded soldiers giving themselves up.  For Kadokawa, he is sent to bring Japanese reinforcements to the church.  And we see the first act of defiance as the soldiers shoot innocent people hiding inside closet.

But while scouring the city, Lu Jianxiong along with a group of young children who are Chinese soldiers begin to help him kill the Japanese troops.  So, as a sneak attack takes down the Japanese troops, more Japanese troops come to the area and there outnumber Jianxiong and the Chinese troops and all are captured and will all be executed.

All the people are rounded up and then the massacre begins.  We see the Japanese shooting and killing the innocent Chinese people of Nanking, people of all ages as they are gunned down.

We see thousands of people who are standing being shot and killed by soldiers.  We see hundreds of people being buried alive.  We see many people being lined up and slaughtered by the Japanese troops bayonets.

Thousands slaughtered...

And as his people are being killed, soldier Lu Jianxiong accepts his fate and joining him is his young soldier, a young boy named Xiaodouzi.

As the Japanese prepare the Chinese soldiers, young and old, for execution, the Chinese soldiers, with their last breath, yell scream about their pride for China, but for Lu, he looks at Xiadouzi and puts his hands over his eyes.  The Japanese soldiers shoot at the Chinese and kills them all in the mass execution.

For those staying in the safety zone, Mrs. Tang  and the women can not believe what has happened to everyone in the city. As some of the Chinese go out to see if they can check if there are any survivors, Zhao who survived the massacre also finds young Xiaodouzi alive.

Both escape to the safety zone in hopes that John Rabe and Mr. Tang can help them.

But there are thousands of people there and its way more than Rabe and others can watch over.  So, each night, bands of Japanese soldiers try to infiltrate and rape the Chinese women and some of them do just that in front of a crowd of other scared refugees who do not want to die.  As Rabe and the other Westerners try to stop the Japanese from raping the women, some of the women decide that they must take precautions and many go as far as cutting their hair and begin dressing like men in hopes that they do not get raped.

Meanwhile, on the Japanese side, Sgt. Kadokawa spends his time with a Japanese comfort woman named Yuriko.  Because he is conflicted by the violence around him, unlike other soldiers, he manages to show his act of kindness towards her and vows to marry her once the war is over.

At the Safety Zone, the Japanese soldiers pull a ruse and trick all the westerners who were protecting the Safety Zone to all come out while many Japanese soldiers go inside to the Safety Zone to rape more women.  Japanese Commander Ida tells Mr. Tang and John Rabe that he requires 100 female refugees to become comfort women or else more will be killed.  When they go after Mr. Tang's wife and daughter, he tries to fight back and because Mr. Tang tried to fight against the Japanese, they grab his young child and throw her out the top window many levels down, killing her.

John Rabe and teacher Ms. Jiang Shuyun (played by Gao Yuanyuan) know that they have no choice and must tell the women in the Safety Zone that 100 female refugees must become "comfort women" for the Japanese Imperial Troops.  And those who were previously victimized realize that in order to save the others, they will need to volunteer themselves and become comfort women.

So, thousands of soldiers prepare to have their 15 minutes with the 100 women, including Commander Ida who beats Mr. Tang's sister-in-law May for not smiling to him or kissing him as he rapes her.   As Sgt. Kadokawa meets Xiao Jian (played by Jiang Yiyan) and brings her rice, he can not rape her but when one soldier wonders if he is done, he immediately pulls down his pants and starts raping Xiao Jian in front of Kadokawa and the woman looks at Kadokawa with a lifeless stare.

And eventually, many of the women are killed due to the non-stop rape and many go crazy.  Such as May, who begins singing opera loudly and  is shot and killed by Commander Ida.  Kadokawa is repulsed by what Ida has done but Ida tells him that he liked her and that its better for her to die than being subjective to living this way.  Meanwhile, Xiaio Jian is dragged to a wheel barrow with other women who have died from rape and this time, the lifeless stare is there, but this time, she is dead.

Unfortunately because Dr. Rabe's interference with German and Japan relations because of the Safety Zone, the Nazi's order him to return to Germany and now the Safety Zone will be taken down.  With Rabe gone, what will happen to the many Chinese refugees still living in Nanking?

And for Kadokawa, what happens when the atrocities, the violence and alienation gets the best of him?

VIDEO:

"City of Life and Death" is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:35:1), black and white.   Director Lu Chuan was influenced by Spielberg's "Schindler's List" and felt the film should be kept in black and white and the decision to do so, in my opinion, made the film quite effective.  Because the film already focuses on the atrocities committed by the Japanese towards the Chinese citizens, the film would be too gory to watch if we were to see blood everywhere.  But by no means does that mean picture quality would be inferior.

In fact, this film is enhanced by its high details.  From the worn out skin of the soldiers, the grime on the skin and dark blood (which is seen as black) on the soldiers is shown effectively in HD as well as the clothing as you can see the stitching patterns and the threading with clarity.  Skin pigments with clarity.  Especially with the destruction of buildings during the battle, the scene of Nanking looks realistic in the film.

Black levels are deep while whites and grays have amazing contrast and the picture is sharp.

But I must credit cinematographer Yu Cao for capturing the brutality and the massacres with his camera shots.  What is captured on camera is heartbreaking, stunning and realistic.  The details are in the eyes, shots of fear, panic, despair...and people with tears knowing that they are not going to survive the ordeal... I was literally captivated and sickened at the same time.  To know that what is shown on screen is non-fiction and these atrocities took place (and many situations even worse as seen in photos from Nanking), many times during the film, I had to pause and collect myself.

This is the second time this has ever happened to me, the other time was watching Alain Resnais' "Night and Fog", a documentary about the Nazi concentration camps.  But the fact that a film such as "City of Life and Death" can have this much of an effect, it goes to show how viscerally powerful this film is.

So, overall...picture quality is magnificent, cinematography is fantastic!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

The lossless soundtrack of "City of Life and Death" is magnificent.  Presented in Mandarin DTS-HD Matster Audio 5.1, let me first preface and say that there are not many Asian films (non-animated) that I have watched and felt were immersive but I have to say that the soundtrack for this film is hauntingly immersive as one can expect from a war film.

From the battle between the Chinese and Japanese, to hear the bullets zipping from all around you, to hear the gunfire, the tanks and mortar rounds going off close by or to a distance, to hear explosions from a distance and to hear the screams whenever a soldier shoots in the air, the realism of fear, sadness, pain and everything brutal that can be heard in a film about the massacre of innocent people is captured on the soundtrack of "City of Life and Death".

To have a film that can captivate you visually but also via audio, needless to say, I was quite impressed and as Yu Cao did a wonderful job with cinematography, Tong Liu did a magnificent job with the music of the film.

With powerful visuals and powerful audio, needless to say, "City of Life and Death" was certainly an experience.  I heard no problems with the audio, Mandarin was crystal clear, each artillery fire was amazingly clear and once again, this lossless soundtrack is absolutely immersive and enhances your appreciation for the film!

As for subtitles, English subtitles are optional and are easy to read.

SPECIAL FEATURES

"City of Life and Death" comes with the following special features:

Disc 1:

• Kino Lorber Trailers
• Stills - Featuring stills from "City of Life and Death"

• Matters of Life and Death - (1:53:56) It's important to note that the second disc is not a Blu-ray but a DVD.  The documentary or making-of features an interview with director Lu Chuan and the talent. But we learn how much of a challenge it was to create this film but also how the talent felt the power of this film and what they felt at the time of making the film.

EXTRAS:

"City of Life and Death" comes with a slipcase cover.

Heartbreaking, brutal but the most honest portrayal of the atrocities committed  in Nanking for cinema.

For so long, I have waited for a film of this caliber to be made on the "Rape of Nanking".  Because it would probably answer a lot of questions for many people of why there are continued tensions between China and Japan.  But also to understand how war can make regular people do terrible things.

Back in college, I learned a lot about the Armenian Genocide and Nanking Massacres but while my college due to its large Armenian student population would have memorials for those who were killed, there is not much out there for people to know about what transpired in Nanking in 1937-1938 unless you go out and look for it.

Having studied Asian culture (especially with focus on Japanese culture), it was interesting to see things on brother's side who is more closer to Chinese culture and him experiencing first hand through his Chinese father-in-law of the long-lasting pain and anger that Chinese have towards Japanese.  It was an intriguing juxtaposition because I recently wrote about how my grandfather fought against the Japanese in World War II but he told me that what happened then was due to war.

So, as I was researching this film, I ran a quote by director Lu Chuan with Filmmaker in which the director said, "Why is there war? I wanted to make a movie about the Nanjing massacre, but then I started to explore the history of massacres, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and learned they happened everywhere. It’s not something that belongs to Japanese people. So I decided to [articulate] this kind of feeling in my movie. I don’t want my son or daughter, younger brother or sister to look at the Japanese [in the] way [we did]. It’s not true. The massacre was in 1937. After 70 years, we have to reconsider it from a different angle. The Japanese troops were criminal — but the biggest criminal was the war itself. It twisted human nature. It pushed normal people to pull the trigger. I was in the army for several years, you know. I know if I was in uniform on the battlefield, I would pull the trigger on strangers if the [military] authorities asked me to.”

And in China, since childhood, people are taught about what happened during their war against Japan and what Japan did to them, it doesn’t help when Japanese nationals continue to say that the genocide was fabricated.  And while the modern younger generation (in Japan) feels no attachment to what transpired in the past, they are not taught about the atrocities committed by their own people and pretty much, it’s part of the history that is hidden from them.  But many young people know that Japan at the time, are responsible for a lot of terrible things due to war, a lot of other countries have also done the same throughout time.

So, war is always ugly and war brings out the worst in humanity.

And what happened to the people of Nanking back in December 1937-January 1938 is shocking, disturbing and you can’t believe how people can be so cruel and barbaric but it happened.  And there is only so much one can do by reading a book, online and seeing the photos.  But for many people, they need the visual and “City of Life and Death” amazingly captures the massacres, the pain, the suffering of people with so much efficacy.  People have to remember, this was a low-budget film featuring hundreds of people, many who have never worked on a film before.  But yet, each role was crucial, each scene must look realistic and for everyone who participated in this film, they did a magnificent job in making the film real for us viewers.

As mentioned earlier, this is the second film where I had to pause and collect my thoughts and just take time and wait a few minutes because the massacre of innocents was making me feel sickened and to the point where I felt like crying because I have never seen humanity become so cruel to innocent people.  I know genocide has happened within my lifetime but what took place in Nanking is shocking.  From the massacre of 300,000 people, from soldiers having contests on how many people they can behead (and this was featured in a major Japanese newspaper publication as two soldiers were having a contest), to the rape of thousands of women and girls who were raped repeatedly until they died.  And there was no respect for these women.  These soldiers did their thing and not shown in this film but you can find photos are what soldiers inserted in women after they killed them.

And what is so unforgettable are the details captured by the cinematography of the film, when thousands are shot to death, people being buried alive, trying to escape but they can’t.  But just looking at the eyes of the characters, the tears, the lifelessness, the fear and in death.

Filmmaker Lu Chuan had encountered many challenges in making of this film.  From those who didn’t want to support it because of its content or that it was a film that a young director could not handle, but he proved them wrong.  He was able to write and direct a film that captured the atrocities and brutality against the Chinese people but also trying to show not exactly sympathy but to show that even the Japanese like the character Kadokawa did things that he did not want to do but because it was war, he was conflicted and starts to eat upon his soul.

The Blu-ray release is absolutely fantastic, from amazing picture quality and an immersive lossless soundtrack to a making-of that is not your average run-of-the mill non-exciting feature but there is a lot included in terms of sharing with the viewer of the challenges and the emotional state of the talent who took part in this film.  Because it was a thought-provoking film that has not been explored in this magnitude and the result is literally epic.

In fact, this film had so much of a profound effect on me that I hope to visit the Memorial Hall of Victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing.

Overall, “City of Life and Death” is the most visceral war film that I have seen to effectively capture the atrocities and the brutality of the Nanking massacre in cinema.  This is an unforgettable film that resonates within you for a very long time with its realistic and stunning cinematography.

Director Lu Chuan has created a masterpiece!  This Blu-ray release is highly recommended!

 

GANTZ (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

If you are looking for an exciting Japanese popcorn action film or you are a fan who can separate themselves from the original storyline of the “GANTZ” anime and manga series, then definitely give the first “GANTZ” film a try!

Images courtesy of © Hiroya Oke/Shueisha, 2011 “GANTZ” Film Partners. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: GANTZ

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2010

DURATION: 128 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Two-Disc, Japanese and English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Anamorphic Widescreen

COMPANY: New People Entertainment

RELEASE DATE: August 30, 2011

Directed by Shinsuke Sato

Based on the Manga by Hiroya Oku

Screenplay by Yusuke Watanabe

Produced by Takahiro Sato

Music by Kenji Kawai

Cinematography by Taro Kawazu

Edited by Tsuyoshi Imai

Casting by Yumi Minamidani

Production Design by Yasuaki Harada

Starring:

Kazunari Ninomiya as Kei Kurono

Ken’ichi Matsuyama as Masaru Kato

Yuriko Yoshitaka as Tae Kojima

Kanata Hongo as Joichiro Nishi

Natsuna as Kei Kishimoto

Tomorowo Taguchi as Yoshikazu Suzuki

Kei Kurono and his childhood friend Masaru Kato attempt to save a man who has fallen onto the train tracks, but are run down by an oncoming train. However, rather than finding themselves dead, they are transported to a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb known as “GANTZ.” Along with others there, they are provided weaponry and sent on missions to battle alien beings. Is this world, which tests your will to survive, a game or reality?

In 2000, mangaka Hiroya Oku created the “Gantz” manga series.  A series which is still ongoing to this day.

The 26-episode, two season anime series was released in 2004 and for many Americans, it was among the popular series to be released on DVD due to its sci-fi action, adult humor and violence.

Five years later, it was announced that two live action “Gantz” films were being created and starring in the film is actor and idol singer and ARASHI member Kazunari Nonomiya (“Letters from Iwo Jima”, “Yamada Taro Monogatari”, “Ryusei no Kizuna”), actor Kenichi Matsuyama (“Death Note” films, “L: Change the World”, “Kamui Gaiden”) and the film would be directed by Shinsuke Sato (“The Princess Blade”, “Tokyo Lullabye”, “Sunadokei” and also character and scene developer for the video game “Tekken 4″).

The film was shown in America first as it was simulcast in theaters in 46 states, in Japan, the first film was released in theaters on January 29th.  With the second film being screened in July  at San Diego Comic-Con, the film makes its debut on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of New People Entertainment.

It’s important to note that the films are loosely-based on the manga and anime series.

“Gantz” begins with college student Kei Kurono (played by Kazunari Ninomiya) awaiting a train as he prepares himself for a job interview.  While waiting, he sees an old friend of his, Masaru Kato (played by Kenichi Matsuyama) awaiting for the train.

When a drunk man falls over to the train tracks, Kato goes to help him back up.  He screams for Kurono to help him but he pretends he doesn’t know the man.  But with the help of bystanders, the drunken man is saved but with the train coming, Kato needs help getting back up the platform.  Kurono tries to help him back up but instead is pulled down and both are in the direct path of the oncoming train.

Next thing you know, both re-materialize in a room with a few people watching them and a black orb sitting in the middle.  After the two arrive, a woman named Kei Kishimoto (played by Natsuna) rematerializes in the room without any clothes on.  Kato covers her up and tries to protect her from a yakuza looking man who tries to approach her.

Immediately, they see the orb start playing music and telling them to prepare for their new lives.  Everyone in the room at first are thinking they are dead, because their last memories were either being hit by a vehicle or trying to kill themselves but others think they were drugged in a hospital and are now part of a group experiment.

Meanwhile, the orb known as “Gantz” opens up and inside are suitcases with the names of the people inside the room, as well as weapons.  Inside is a live being, that is on a breathing apparatus.  No one knows what is going on but they are told they must kill an alien child who eats green onions.

While Kei Kishimoto puts on her Gantz outfit, the others are not so sure if they should wear it.

Each of the people inside the room materializes to a new destination and they spot the alien child.  One of the people of the group, Nishi (played by Kanata Hongo), tells them that it’s all part of a game show and whoever catches the kid will win a lot of money.  With many of the men unemployed and needing the money, they go after the kid with their weapons.

And the three of the men end up killing the child.  But not long after, a huge alien man comes  (who appears to be the brother of the alien child) and he begins to brutally kill each of the people of the group.  Kato who tried to stop the people from shooting the alien child is left panicking.  Meanwhile, Kurono just looks from afar and not sure what is going on.

As the alien tries to kill Kato, Kishimoto kicks him and sends the alien behemoth flying.  They then know that the suits given to them by Gantz is quite powerful and gives them some special abilities.

Nishi comes and kills the alien and now everyone who survived the fight rematerializes back into the room.  Everyone is frustrated and shocked of what happened and Kato is angered that Nishi didn’t come to save the others who were killed by the alien.  But Nishi tries to explain to them that they are part of a game, where many have been killed.

Eventually, the group learns from Nishi that with each battle of eliminating aliens, Gantz chooses the individual and give them points.  The overall goal is to reach 100 points. With 100 points accumulated, they can be set free and their memory of Gantz wiped out.  Or they can revive another person that has been killed.

With every night, each of them having to be sent to the battlefield, they are joined by other people who have recently been killed or just died and try to prepare them for the battle that awaits them.  But with each battle, these alien beings become more deadly.  Will Kurono, Kato or Kishimoto survive?

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

It’s important to note that if one wants the best picture and audio quality of “Gantz”, a Blu-ray version of the film is available.  As for the DVD, the film is presented in anamorphic widescreen and presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital Japanese and English.

As for picture quality, as expected for a DVD, you do see some artifacts but for the most part, the good news is that New People Entertainment decided to put the special features on a second disc in order to give the film better PQ.  Again, the Blu-ray version is the one to go with for better picture quality but the DVD is good.  It’s important to note that while the film is bloody, to not make it so violent, the blood is darkened to black.

As for the audio, the film has quite a bit of action, so I did notice a good use of the surround channels.  From explosions to metal upon metal clanging (especially Kato vs. the 100-arm Bhudda), the action sequences do sound great on DVD.  But of course, nothing beats lossless and if you have a Blu-ray player, Blu-ray and HD is the way to go!

As for the dialogue, I prefer to watch films in their original language and don’t listen to the English dub.  But for those who refuse to watch a film with English subtitles, you do have the choice to watch it with an English dub.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Gantz” comes with the following special features on Disc-2:

• Gantz Japanese Original Trailers – Featuring several GANTZ TV commercial and movie trailers.
• Director’s Profile & Interview – (28:51) Interviews with filmmaker Shinsuke Sato talking about the first film and how it leads to the second film.  As well as the challenges of shooting the film and casting decisions.
• New People Presents – A trailer for previously released New People entertainment films.

What one can expect from a popcorn action film starring a few of Japanese top young talents!  “GANTZ” features constant action that will thrill you!  Possibly one of the better film adaptations from a manga series in terms of visual effects and costume design.

I personally enjoyed “GANTZ” for the reason that I’m familiar with the talent on the film.  Kazunari Ninomiya of ARASHI fame is very popular as with actor Kenichi Matsuyama, but even before I watched this film, I always felt that the costumes of “GANTZ” was the coolest costumes since the Matrix!

But with that being said, this is a popcorn action film with a lot of action and visual effects but at the same time, it’s a film that is quite different from the manga/anime series.  Granted, there was quite a bit of perversion with the original series…let’s just say it involves a dog and Kishimoto.  But of course, the heart of this series was the mysterious game and the amount of violence shown for an animated series.

When these humans, many who refuse to wear the suits that Gantz gives them, suffice to say, in the series they are slaughtered to death, blood and carnage everywhere.  In the film, there is carnage but the director makes things so dark, especially darken the blood that no one gags while watching.  You know that these poor people who lost their life are dead, but how badly…that is where the film doesn’t go far into.

And for fans of the series, the lack of the sex and bloody violence in the film may be a bad thing.  For me, with any comic book adaptation, you know there are going to be changes.  “Death Note” was very different from the original series and since this film is from the producers of the “Death Note” films, who pretty much had to take the long story of the series and very loosely, create an adaptation to make two films out of it, the same can be said with Gantz.

It’s loosely based on the series and if anything, the characters from the series are there and very few situations remain the same, but for the most part, its an entirely different story when compared to the manga and anime series and similar to “Death Note”, the live-action films, you have to separate the live films from the manga/anime series.

As for the DVD, I did like the fact that they kept the special features separate on another disc but if you have a Blu-ray player and really want very good picture and audio quality, the Blu-ray release of “Gantz” is the way to go.  Otherwise, if you don’t plan to upgrade to Blu-ray, “Gantz” still looks good on DVD and not everything is crammed to one disc.

As mentioned, they try to squeeze a lot into one film, especially the action sequences.  So, the character developing part of Kurono, Kato and Kojima, while we do understand Kato’s connection to his brother, there is more to the Kato storyline than what was shown in the film and it’s rather unfortunate that the film does lose the storyline connecting the viewer to these characters.  It’s something that a manga series can focus on, especially a 26-episode anime series, but for a two-hour film, there is only so much you can incorporate and thus, the screenplay tries to fit in as much character development plots but focus primarily on the action.

And criticism of film adaptations of manga series is not just for “Gantz”, it extends farther to other live action films including “20th Century Boys”, “Maison Ikkoku”, “Video Girl Ai”, “Honey and Clover”, “Death Note”, etc.  There is only so much you can incorporate into  a two-hour film and something has to suffer.  Fortunately, for Gantz, the film relies on its action than the dramatic elements of the series.

So, that is one positive for this film.  Focus on the action and if fans are able to separate themselves from the anime or manga series, then everything seems to work out OK.

Overall, “GANTZ” may not be the best film adaptation on a manga series but I have to admit that I had a lot of fun watching the film adaptation.  The fight against the alien in the car garage or the 100-arm Buddha, that was quite exciting.

If you are looking for an exciting Japanese popcorn action film or you are a fan who can separate themselves from the original storyline of the “GANTZ” anime and manga series, then definitely give the first “GANTZ” film a try!

 

Tajomaru Avenging Blade: Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

From the director of “Samurai Fiction” comes this stylized, feudal Japan era, action film featuring popular young star Shun Oguri.   While not the best film of its genre, “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” is a decent and entertaining popcorn swordfighting action film that is entertaining.

Images courtesy of © 2009 Tajomaru Film Committee. Licensed by FUNimation Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Tajomaru Avenging Blade: Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2010

DURATION: 132 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (16×9 HD Native), DolbyTrue HD Japanese 5.1 and DolbyTrueHD English 5.1, Subtitles: English

RATED: TV MA

COMPANY: FUNimation Entertainment

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2011

Directed by Hiroyuki Nakano

Based on the Short Story “Yabu no Naka” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Screenplay by Shinichi Ichikawa, Mataichiro Yamamoto

Produced by Mataichiro Yamamoto

Co-Producer: Hidemi Satani

Associate Producer: Eugene Nomura, Toshiie Tomida

Line Producer: Toshihiro Osato

Music by Naoki Otsubo

Cinematography by Takumi Furuya

Edited by Shuichi Kakesu

Production Design by Yuji Hayashida

Costume Design by Kazuhiro Sawataishi

Starring:

Shun Oguri as Naomitsu Hatakeyama

Yuki Shibamoto as Ako

Kei Tanaka as Sakuramaru

Kyosuke Yabe as Michikane

Hiroyuki Ikeuchi as Nobutsuna Hatakeyama

Hirotaro Honda as Hidetaka Kuriyama

Hiroki Matsukata as Tajomaru

Masaomi Kondo as Kagetoki

Ken’ichi Hagiwara as Ashikaga Yoshimasa

In the days of feudal Japan bandits ruled the forests. Tajomaru was the king of criminals: his ruthless character terrorized villagers and royalty across the country. As the legend went, whoever killed the infamous thief inherited his name, his sword and his reputation…

Naomitsu is a nobleman forced to flee the capital by conspirators embroiled in jealousy. In a desperate struggle with the nefarious Tajomaru, Naomitsu loses the love of his life, Ako, but gains a new title and the coveted blade, The Cutting Wave. As he wages war on his betrayers in furious battles – and even braves the depths of the Pit of Hell – bodies will fall and vengeance will be served by the great bandit king.

In 2010,  Japanese movie goers had the opportunity to experience “Tajomaru Avenging Blade”, the latest film for “Samurai Fiction” director Hiroyuki Nakano.

“Tajomaru” is a film adaptation of Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s novel “Yabu no Naka” and would star actor Shun Oguri (“Tokyo Dogs, “Azumi”, “Stand Up!!”, “Hana Yori no Dango”), Yuki Shibamoto (“Furin Kazan”, A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), Kei Tanaka (“Soredemo, Ikite Yuku”, “Hot Man”, “Waterboys”), Hirouki Ikeuchi (“GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka”, “Beautiful Life”) and Ken’ichi Hagiwara (“Fighting Girl”, “Love Letter”, “The Wanderers”).

In Japan, actor Kenichi Hagiwara won an award for “Special Jury Award Best Actor” for the Japanese Film Critics Award and the theme song “Pray” by the rock band B’z was on top of the music charts.

The film revolves around two brothers of nobility, Naomitsu Hatekeyama (played by Shun Oguri) and Nobotsuna Hatekyama (played by Hiroyuki Ikeuchi).  As children, the two would spar with each other and have fun, while hanging out with Princess Ako (played by Yuki Shibamoto).

Long ago, when they were children, they encountered a young boy named Sakuramaru who was a thief.  But being a kind-hearted person, Naomitsu allowed Sakuramaru to become part of their family.

And eventually growing up, Sakuramaru (played by Kei Tanaka) grew up wanting to become a retainer for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who eventually takes in Sakuramaru.

But growing up, as the death of Ako’s father, one of the boys is supposed to marry Princess Ako and also inherit the family gold.  Naomitsu and Ako have always been in love since they were young, so it is thought that the two would get married.  When older Nobotsuna feels that he needs to step in and become the family leader, this concerns Naomitsu because he loves Ako.  He doesn’t care if his brother takes the gold, all Naomitsu wants is to be with his one and only love.

While Ako is grieving, Naomitsu goes to meet with Ako in hopes that she can tell him where the gold is and hopes to give it to his brother while finding a way for him to keep Ako, but Sakuramaru tells a different story to Nobotsuna.  Sakuramaru tells the elder brother that Naomitsu is scheming to get Ako and the money, this angers Nobotsuna.

Nobotsuna suddenly goes to Ako with anger and rapes her.  With Nobotsuna angered at his younger brother, he sends his men after him and in the process, Naomitsu and Ako flee their home.

Meanwhile, Sakuramaru uses the opportunity to kill the guardian of Naomitsu and Nobotsuna’s and his men and then afterward killing Nobotsuna.

Sakuramaru has now taken Naomitsu’s name and leads the Hakeyama family and now he has the power but now what he needs is the money and his goal is to find Ako and find out where the gold from her family is located.

As Naomitsu and Ako continue fleeing far from their home, both are approached by the legendary and feared warrior Tajomaru (played by Hiroki Matsukata).  Despite Tajomaru being an older man, Naomitsu is nowhere the same level in swordfighting skills and is knocked out and lays unconscious after their fight.

We then see Tajomaru going after Ako but she is unable to fight against him and he throws her to the ground and looks as if he will be raping her.  When Naomitsu awakens, he is tied up and sees a crying Ako begging to Tajomaru not to kill her and that she will go with him anywhere if he doesn’t do anything to her.  She then tells tells Tajomaru to kill Naomitsu.  Naomitsu thinks that she has been raped and that is the reason she would say such a thing and that she is just upset because he was unable to defend her.

When Tajomaru goes to kill Naomitsu, she runs away and flees.  He then frees Naomitsu, who is shocked of what has taken place and upset for raping Ako, Naomitsu finds a knife and stabs Tajomaru several times and kills him.

Before he dies, Tajomaru tells Naomitsu that the legend of Tajomaru must continue and gives him his sword and tells him that from now on, he will be known as Tajomaru.

And as for Tajomaru, he joins a group of thieves and becomes a good moral leader for them.  But once word gets to Naomitsu that his brother has been killed and someone using his name has assumed leadership, Naomitsu returns to his village and to his surprise he finds out that Sakuramaru is now using his name and that living with him is Princess Ako.

VIDEO:

“Tajomaru Avenging Blade” is presented in 1080p High Definition (16:9) and the film is full of colors and fine detail.  Especially with the costume and set design which really sets the look and feel of the series.  The picture quality features a warmer look and there is a hint of softness at times but for the most part, this film looks beautiful in HD.

Also, one can easily compare the accompanying DVD to the Blu-ray and see how the colors are much more sharper and costume design is much more detailed on Blu-ray compared to the DVD release.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Tajomaru Avenging Blade” is presented in Japanese with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Mix and and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix and subtitles are in English.

I am one who will never watch an Asian film with an English dub. The Japanese lossless soundtrack is well-acted but I did watch the English dub and as FUNimation Entertainment is known for casting the best English voice talent, it’s quite subjective to the viewer but I feel that fans who prefer English dubbing will enjoy it.

Both have similar mixes and the film is primarily center and front-channel driven. I did notice the use of crowd ambiance during the film and the action sequences are well-utilized for the surround channels.

If anything, the only thing that didn’t work for me is watching a movie that is based in feudal Japan and then hearing JET’s “Sgt. Major” playing in the background.  But it was cool to see B’z's “Pray” used as the ending credits theme song.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Tajomaru Avenging Blade” comes with the following special features:

• Making of Tajomaru - (17:07) Featuring the making of “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” and how various scenes were shot.

EXTRAS:

“Tajomaru Avenging Blade” comes with a DVD presented in 16:9, Japanese and English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround.

A fun, modernized feudal Japan swordfighting film, “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” may not be the best film of its genre but for a new generation of moviegoers who wants to see a younger cast (courtesy of popular actor Shun Oguri and Kei Tanaka and actress Yuki Shibamoto) and a stylized modern feel (courtesy of the music by Japanese rock band B’z and Australian rock band JET), then this movie is for you!

I know plenty of Japanese drama fans who simply love Shun Oguri and while he typically is featured in roles of playing the lover not the fighter, in the case of “Tajomaru Avenging Blade”, he plays both as the character Naomitsu Hatakeyama.

While the Hatakeyama family and Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa do have a place in Japanese history, the story of “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” is not a fictional story.   The best part of “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” is its look and feel.  The costume design and set design are well-done and capture traditional Japan quite well, but when you move past that, I felt the film had some shortcomings in terms of plot.

The “thief and always a thief” storyline doesn’t quite cut it for me.  The character Sakuramaru as the antagonist is one thing but it makes you wonder why he became this vile character.  We don’t really know what made Sakuramaru become so evil, especially when he was taken care of by the Hatakeyama family.  We are alluded that he was used by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa but to what extent and why, we don’t know.  Also, with the Hatakeyama brothers being excellent, well-trained swordfighters, how Sakuramaru would become better than possibly even the skilled Naomitsu, also didn’t cut it for me.

But to add the big “question mark” is seeing Naomitsu turned Tajomaru hanging out with the thieves and then hearing JET’s “Sgt. Major” playing in the background followed by a rap song by the thieves.  I know that possibly filmmaker Hiroyuki Nakano was trying to make this film accessible for the younger generation, especially those who came out to watch Shun Oguri but it’s one thing to hear JET but to hear a rap song celebration, that was to kitschy for me.

But I do like the twists and turns that takes place in “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” but I feel that there were some plot elements that needed to be ironed out and aside from modernizing a movie for a younger generation, I suppose it’s all subjective to the viewer but modern music in a film set in the far distant past of feudal Japan, it didn’t work for me.

As for the Blu-ray release, “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” does feature a solid lossless soundtrack.  Not very immersive but for this type of film, the soundtrack works well especially how it incorporates the ambiance of the film.  Picture quality is also very good as the colorful costumes really look beautiful and the detail on Blu-ray is fantastic.  There is only one special feature included and it’s only the “making of”.

Overall, “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” works great as a popcorn action film.  As long as no one is expecting anything deep along the lines of an Akira Kurosawa-type plot or the best in swordfighting choreography, then you should be fine.  If anything, “Tajomaru Avenging Blade” is a nice diversion from the heavier and deeper feudal Japan storyline, it’s not a great film but I was entertained by it.

 

The Sword with No Name (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

Fantastic!  “The Sword with No Name” is a fictional storyline based on the real-life assassination of Korea’s Empress/Queen Myeongseong and features a wonderful performance by actress Su Ae and actor Cho Seung-woo.  Beautiful cinematography, music and an effective storyline that makes this romantic tragedy worth watching.  Definitely recommended!

Images courtesy of © 2009 Sidus FNH.  Licensed by FUNimation Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: The Sword with No Name (Bool-kkott-cheo-reom na-bi-cheo-reom)

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2009

DURATION: 124 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (16×9 HD Native), DolbyTrue HD Korean 2.0 and DolbyTrueHD English 5.1, Subtitles: English

RATED: TV MA

COMPANY: Showbox/FUNimation Entertainment

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2011

Directed by Yong-guyn Kim

Written by Seol-Rok Ya

Produced by Kim Mi Hee

Cinematography by Kim Myung Joon

Music by Kim Myung Joon

Edited by Kim Seok Won Kim Chang Sub

Costume Design by Hyun Seob Shim

Starring:

Soo Ae as Empress Myeong-Seong

Seung-woo Cho as Moo-Myeong

Jae-jim Baek as King’s father’s commander

Jae-woong Choi as Noe-jeon

Su-hee Go as So-hee

In-gu Heo as Ko-jong’s follower

Ho-jin Jeon as Dae Won-gun

Young-min Kim as Go-jong

Yong-nyeo Lee as Court Lady Choi

Park Min-hee as Mi Woo-ra

The Joseon Dynasty’s legendary Empress Myseongseong is a cherished ruler who fought courageously to modernize Korea. Forced to marry a king she does not love and embroiled in a brutal struggle between rival world powers, the Empress draws her strength from a dashing rogue; a nameless headhunter who would do anything to be near her.

This dark and brooding master of the blade protects the Empress as she stands strong against the sinister forces seeking to colonize her beloved country. When a traitor within the royal family orchestrates a plot to assassinate the Empress, only this anonymous swordsman proves willing to spill his own blood in defense of the noble beauty who would sacrifice her life for the people of Korea.

Korea’s Empress/Queen Myeongseong, her story of the Queen during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea is best known in history for standing up against Japan’s military and government influence in the East by aligning Korea with Russia but also her tragic story of how she would be assassinated by those she stood up against.

Her story is quite fascinating and you can’t help but respect what she was able to accomplish but seeing how things unfolded when she became a Queen and her willingness to open Korea to work with representatives of foreign countries.

But because of the dramatic and tragic elements of her story and the fact that all photos of the Empress were burned and destroyed, needless to say that the Empress has become a sort of mystery.  No known photo exists and needless to say there have been dramatizations of the Queen and because she is such a historic figure, as well as heroic, there have been interest in her.

And in the case of “The Sword with No Name”, the 2009 film receives a romanticized fictional story about the Empress or Queen written by Seol-Rok ya and directed by Yong-gyun Kim (“The Red Shoes”).  The film would star actress Soo Ae (or spelled Su Ae, “Athena: Goddess of War”, “Love Letter”) playing the character of the Empress/Queen Myeong-seong and actor Seung-woo Cho (“Go Go 70′s”, “Love Phobia”, “Marathon”).

And now the Blu-ray and DVD will be released courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment on Sept. 20th.

“The Sword with No Name” begins with the murders of Catholic women in Korea and for young Johannes, he watches as his mother is beheaded and can’t do anything about it.  Fast forward to the present and Min Ja Yeong has been selected to become the next queen to marry King Gojong (played by Kim Young-Min).

Although she doesn’t know or love the man, it’s her destiny to become the next queen of Korea and before she is to marry, she decides to take a quick trip to the beach where her father took her to as a child.  She hitches a ride on a boat owned by Mu-Myeong (played by Seung-woo Cho) and he agrees to take the beautiful woman to the beach.

While getting to know the future Queen, Mu-Myeong becomes smitten with Min Ja Yeong and both start to find comfort within one another.  When he goes to take her back, someone tries to assassinate her but is protected by Mu-Myeong.  They are then approached by Noe Jeon (played by Choi Jae-Woong), the greatest swordsman who works under King Gojong and he learns from the Queen that Mu-Myeong had just saved her life.

As Min Ja Yeong has gotten married and becomes the Queen Myeongseong of Korea, a smitten Mu-Myeong has decided that he wants to protect the Queen and despite being warned not to show up anywhere near the Queen, Mu-Myeong tells the King’s father Dae Won Kun (played by Cheon Ho-Jin) that he will do anything to get a job as a palace guard and so Dae Won Kun holds him to that and tells him he must wear a bullet proof vest that was just developed and must be shot at (on the vest) by his soldiers to prove himself and if he survives, he will get a job as a palace guard.  And sure enough, Mu-Myeong is able to become a palace guard and will do all he can to protect the Queen.

Meanwhile, the Queen would use her intellect to become a political power as she was the complete opposite of the King.  But because Japan was starting to assert their power over the East, the Queen would work with foreign powers, specifically the Russians in order to create a strong relation instead of being ran by a power hungry Japan.  Of course, this was in opposition with King Gojong’s father, who has built his career working with the Japanese.  And because of that, there was a struggle of power as King Gojong believed in Korea, that is better to work with Japan than open itself to other cultures, while the Queen was the opposite.

But also, there was a resentment that his son, the King of Korea would go to his wife to handle international and domestic affairs.  And thus, with Japan, a plan is hatched to kill the Queen.

Dedicated to protect her forever, Moo-Myeong will do all he can to protect the women he cares about from being killed.  Will he succeed?

VIDEO:

“The Sword with No Name” is presented in 1080p High Definition and the picture quality of this film is fantastic.  From the vibrant colors outdoors, to the colorful outfits that the Queen and the guards would wear, the colors of the film is what makes this film so beautiful.

The HD release of this film also showcases the textures and details of the clothing but also skin of the characters.  Needless to say, visually “The Sword with No Name” is fantastic, black levels are nice and deep and color, its strong point looks absolutely great on Blu-ray!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Sword with No Name” is presented in Korean with a Dolby TrueHD 2.0 Mix and and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix (note: The case says 1.5 but it’s mixed around and should be 5.1).  As mentioned before for many Asian films, I am one who will never watch an Asian film with an English dub.  The Korean lossless soundtrack features wonderful acting by both Su Ae and Cho Seung-Woo and their emotions are very important as a viewer, by listening to the English dub track, I know FUNimation Entertainment is great when it comes to English dubs but the English dub soundtrack…I listened to it for a short while and it wasn’t for me.

Dialogue is crystal clear and the sword fights and the clanging of steel upon steel sounds good, despite not being a 5.1 mix.  But still, the acting in this film by its two lead talents are just wonderful and listening to someone else trying to bring that emotion to a Western audience, it just doesn’t work for me.  So, I’m biased towards the original Korean dialogue.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Sword with No Name” comes with the following special features:

• Making the Sword with No Name - (10:10) Featuring the making of “The Sword with No Name” and how various scenes were shot.
• Cast Interviews - (10:43) A short interview with Cho Seung-woo and Su Ae talking about their character role.
  
• Teaser Trailer – (1:23) Featuring the teaser trailer for “The Sword with No Name”.
• Theatrical Trailer – (1:55)The theatrical trailer for “The Sword with No Name”.

EXTRAS:

“The Sword with No Name” comes with a slipcover case.

For over a decade, since the day I discovered the news about the real-life Empress Myeongseong, I have always admired the stories that detail her life as an intellectual but also what she did to protect her country.

From the late 1800′s to early 1900′s, Japan was a dominating country known for its ruthless military and its goal of dominating Asia as a whole without Western or international influence.  So, when I researched the Queen back then, it was always an interesting and intriguing story based on real-life events of what this woman did her for her country but also her love/hate relationship to her husband the King.

And as there have been many dramatizations on the life of the real queen, “The Sword with No Name” would take things a bit in a different direction by making by romanticizing her story but featuring her as a strong, intellectual woman.

I absolutely enjoyed this film! And sure, as it would have been great to have a film adaptation on the real life Empress, but the fact that she is such an intriguing woman, she also has been somewhat of a mystery.  There are records and writings about her, her accomplishments and life as a Queen (which she is often shown in a juxtaposition with Marie Antoinette) but surprisingly, many documents of the Queen’s assassination are just making itself known to the public most recently in 2005 (a written account of the Queen’s assassination known as the “Eulmi Incident” by a Russian civilian working with the Korean government at the time) but to this day, no photo of her exists (it is said that the Japanese destroyed all photos of her after her assassination).

But one can understand how the Queen’s tragedy would add fire to the wheels towards anti-Japanese sentiments in Korea and things would get worse between Korea and Japan for many decades more and tensions between the two countries still exist today.

But if anything, while not a non-fiction-based story, “The Sword with No Name” still reignites interest of not just Koreans but people all over the world who have just watched the film and are wanting to learn about the real life Empress Myeongseong.  And for me, there is so much going for this story in terms of its storyline, its strong performances by Su Ae and Cho Seung-woo but also its beautiful visuals and even clever swordfighting choreography.  The film looks absolutely wonderful on Blu-ray and I’m quite happy that FUNimation Entertainment decided to bring this film to the U.S.

“The Sword with No Name” is a film that Asian cinema fans should watch.  I often hear from my Asian cinema friends about how Asia is stuck within this banality of rehashed films and are stuck with creating satisfying film releases but when I watch a film like “The Sword with No Name”, I can’t help but be rather appreciative for this film because it is one heck of an awesome love story but it also is one of those films that will make viewers possibly wanting to know more about the actual person the film is about.

There is so many positive things going for this film and aside from what I just mentioned, the music and cinematography are absolutely enjoyable to watch as well!  The swordfighting  choreography is not too over the top and I felt it was quite stylized but in a cool and effective way.

Overall, if you are looking for a wonderful film from Korea or Asia that is now available on Blu-ray or DVD in the U.S., I highly recommend giving “The Sword with No Name” a try!

Definitely recommended!

 

Secret Sunshine – The Criterion Collection #576 (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

A powerful, thought-provoking film by director Lee Chang-dong.  Featuring a powerful, heartbreaking performance by actress Jeon Do-yeon.  “Secret Sunshine” is highly recommended!

Image courtesy of ©2007 Cinema Service Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Secret Sunshine (Milyang) – The Criterion Collection #576

MOVIE RELEASE: 2007

DURATION: 142 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Color, 2:35:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 Surround in Korean with English Subtitles

COMPANY: IFC Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2011

Directed by Chang-dong Lee

Based on the novel by Chong-jun Yi

Written by Chang-dong Lee

Produced by Lee Hanna

Executive Produced by In Soo Kim, Chang-dong Lee

Music by Christian Basso

Cinematography by Yong-kyou Cho

Edited by Hyun Kim

Production Design by Jum-hee Shin

Starring:

Shin-ae  as  Jeon Do-yeon

Jong-chan  as  Song Kang-ho

Jun  as  Seon Jung-yeob

Schoolteacher  as Cho Young-jin

Brother  as Kim Young-jae

Teacher’s daughter  as Song Mi-rim

A master of intensely emotional human dramas, director Lee Chang-dong is a luminary of contemporary Korean cinema, and his place on the international stage was cemented by this stirring and unpredictable work examining grief and deliverance. An effortless mix of lightness and uncompromising darkness, Secret Sunshine (Miryang) stars Cannes best actress winner Jeon Do-yeon as a widowed piano teacher who moves with her young son from Seoul to her late husband’s provincial hometown for a fresh start. Quietly expressive, supple filmmaking and sublime, subtle performances distinguish this remarkable portrayal of the search for grace amid tragedy.

Powerful, thought-provoking and fantastic film by director Lee Chang-dong (“Oasis”, “Poetry”, “Peppermint Candy”).

“Secret Sunshine” (Milyang), the award-winning 2007 South Korean film features a superb and heartbreaking performance by actress Jeon Do-yeon (“Best Actress” at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival) and also a wonderful performance by Kang-ho Song (“Shiri”, “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”, “J.S.A”).

And with a collaboration with IFC Films,  finally, “Secret Sunshine” receives its HD release in the US courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

“Secret Sunshine” revolves around a widow named Shin-ae (played by Jeon Do-yeon), who decides to move with her young son from Seoul, Korea to the small town of Milyang (in Chinese, the translation of the town means “Secret Sunshine”).  Her car breaks down on the road but fortunately, mechanic Jong Chan (played by Kang-ho Song).

Jong Chan is a kindhearted man who wants to help Shin-ae and her young son Jun (played by Jung-yeop Seon) and immediately gets a place for her to rent and also helps her get a job as a piano teacher.

Shin-ae was a concert pianist but since her husband’s death, she wants to start her life anew by going to the hometown of her husband, a place that he had want to return to.  Shin-ae is also a woman full of pride and is quite independent and sometimes the help that she gets from Jong Chan seems a bit intrusive.  But she also seems a few people in town are a bit intrusive, such as the religious pharmacist who heard about Shin-ae being a widow and tries to introduce Christianity to her, but Shin-ae is not religious and feels that she doesn’t need God in her life.

But for Jong Chan, he becomes interested in Shin-ae and is constantly teased by people in Milyang about the fact that he is 39-years-old and hasn’t found a wife yet.

As Shin-ae and her son start to get used to their new life in Milyang, with the inheritance that she earned, she wants to build a new home for she and Jun.  So, as she tries to fit in with her new friends she talks about buying land to build a home and a few think she is a mother with a lot of money.

And as Jong Chan tries to help Shin-ae get the land for her new home, tragedy hits Shin-ae and life will no longer the same again.

Through suffering and pain, Shin-ae decides to give Christianity and God a chance to heal her heart…

VIDEO:

“Secret Sunshine” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:35:1 Aspect Ratio).  “Secret Sunshine” looks absolutely pristine and vibrant.  Colors are vibrant, black levels are nice and deep, skin tones are natural and there are no blemishes, no artifacting, no edge enhancement.  I was very impressed by how colorful and vibrant this film was and how awesome it looked on Blu-ray.

According to the Criterion Collection, the transfer was supervised and approved by director Lee Chang-dong and cinematographer Cho Yong-kyu and was created from the original negative, which was scanned on a Northlight scanner in 2K resolution.  A Baselight4 was used to create a digital intermediate.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Secret Sunshine” is presented in Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround audio.  For a dramatic film such as “Secret Sunshine”, you expect a dialogue-driven lossless soundtrack.  Dialogue is crystal clear and I didn’t hear too much ambiance but for the most part, it’s a dialogue driven soundtrack.  And perfect for this type of film.

According to the Criterion Collection was mastered at 24-bit from the original digital audio master files using Pro Tools HD.

Subtitles are in English (and are optional).

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Secret Sunshine – The Criterion Collection #576″ on Blu-ray comes with the following special features:

• Lee Chang-dong – (24:33) A Criterion Collection interview from April 2011 with film critic Kim Young-jin and director Lee Chang-dong discussing “Secret Sunshine”.
• On the set of “Secret Sunshine” – (6:46) A behind-the-scenes feaurette featuring interviews with director Lee Chang-dong actors Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kang-ho and the challenges they had in making the film.
• Trailer - (1:12) The original U.S. theatrical trailer for “Secret Sunshine”.

EXTRAS:

“Secret Sunshine – The Criterion Collection #576″ comes with a 20-page booklet which comes with the following essay “A Cinema of Lucidity” by Dennis Lim.

“Secret Sunshine” was a film that surprised many audiences.

Not only did the film have a fantastic, emotional and heartbreaking performance by actress Jeon Do-yeon but it takes viewers on a path of showcasing a woman’s pain and suffering and how Christianity comes to play in her life, good and bad.

And it is quite the juxtaposition of last month’s release of “Léon Morin, Priest” which featured a woman trying to get close to a priest and take part of an forbidden love while being taught about religion, in the case of “Secret Sunshine”, where the film is not a religious film, it does take on religious topics.

I’m sure many of us know, read or have seen people who have came from the darkest place in their lives to find God and change for the better.  But in the case of Shin-ae, can religion and God being in her life help her through tragedy?  What about the pain and sorrow in a person’s heart, can one easily forgive a person for the pain inflicted on them?

This is the goal of director Lee Chang-dong, his curiousity of the individual who has to go through that emotional rollercoaster and to see if one can successfully eliminate their pain by accepting God in their life.

While this film is very hard for me to describe what happened without spoiling the film, I will say that filmmaker Lee Chang-dong did a wonderful job in the planning of this film but also finding the right talent.  Actress Jeon Do-yeon is superb in this film.  She is able to showcase all sorts of emotions that will touch you but also make you feel her pain.  It’s a pain that a viewer can be sympathetic to but it’s how its demonstrated on screen, you can’t help but feel her pain because of the efficacy of her acting.

Also, we have actor Kang-ho Song, very well known for plenty of Korean blockbuster hits, typically action/suspense type of roles but Song is important in providing that balance in making the film watchable and not entirely depressing.  Song’s character of Jong Chan is  the symbol of the guardian angel who tries to help Shin-ae but for some reason, she rejects him.   For Jong, he obviously loves Shin-ae but he’s not very good with women, but he feels comfort in being with her, helping her through this tough time, even though he is constantly rejected.

While “Secret Sunshine” may not affect those familiar with Korean entertainment and are used to seeing Korean films (especially Korean drama) and seeing how a happy and fun film can immediately turn tragic, “Secret Sunshine” succeeds and also separates itself from other forms of Korean storylines in the fact that it showcases a person’s emotional path of dealing with their pain.

Where in Asian cinema, we are typically taken through the banality of tragedy hits person, person manages to find love and then you receive closure.  This is not what Lee Chang-dong was wanting for his film, he wanted to showcase the person and how they deal with their pain, in a realistic manner.

Whenever there is tragedy, we will always have friends and family who will say, “we are praying for you” and we have people who will try to introduce you to religion or have you going to church in order to heal your heart.  And we see the protagonist going through that, until she is blindsided by irony and now, she questions God and once again, she spirals out of control.

“Secret Sunshine” is a fantastic film featuring a wonderful performance by its talent.  While the Blu-ray release doesn’t have plenty of special features, at least Criterion Collection was able to include an interview with the director as well as a behind-the-scene featurette with interviews with the director and both Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kang-ho.

The picture quality of this film is absolutely vibrant and beautiful and the cinematic shots, there are some memorable scenes that will stay in your mind forever.  The scene with Shin-ae when she enters the church for the first time to release all the pain that has kept inside her, what a fantastic and heartbreaking scene and definitely a well-deserved award for Jeon Do-yeon.

Overall, “Secret Sunshine” is another fantastic release from the Criterion Collection but possibly one of the their most depressing films to be released yet. But it also makes me happy to see a South Korean film being released by the Criterion Collection and I hope more Korean films are planned for future releases from Criterion.

“Secret Sunshine” is a powerful, though-provoking film worth owning on Blu-ray!

Highly recommended!

 

High and Low – The Criterion Collection #24 (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

Addictive, riveting and a fantastic film that will captivate you from beginning to end!  An Akira Kurosawa classic receives its Blu-ray release in America and if you owned the previous DVD releases from the Criterion Collection, this latest release is highly recommended!

Image courtesy of ©1963 Toho Co., Ltd 2008 Toho Co., Ltd. © 2011 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: High and Low – THE CRITERION COLLECTION #24 (Tengoku to Jigoku)

YEAR OF FILM: 1963

DURATION: 143 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: Black and White/Color, 4.0 Surround in Japanese with English Subtitles, 2:35:1 Aspect Ratio

COMPANY: Janus Films/THE CRITERION COLLECTION

RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2011

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Based on the novel by Kingu no Minoshirokin (King’s Ransom) by Ed McBain

Screenplay by Hideo Oguni, Ryuzo Kikushima, Eijiro Hisaita, Akira Kurosawa

Produced by Ryuzo Kikushima, Tomoyuki Tanaka

Associate Producer: Akira Kurosawa

Music by Masaru Sato

Cinematography by Asakazu Nakai, Tako Saito

Production Design by Asakazu Nakai, Takao Saito

Production Design by Miyuki Suzuki

Starring:

Toshiro Mifune as Kingo Gondo

Tatsuya Nakadai as Chief Detective Tokura

Kyoko Kagawa as Reiko Gondo

Tatsuya Mihashi as Kawanishi – Gondo’s Secretary

Isao Kimura as Detective Arai

Kenjiro Ishiyama as Chief Detective “Bos’n’ Taguchi

Takeshi Kato as Detective Nakao

Takashi Shimura as Chief of Investigation Section

Jun Tazaki as Kamiya, National Shoes Publicity Director

Nobuo Nakamura as Ishimaru, National Shoes Design Department

Yunosuke Ito as Baba – National Shoes Executive

Tsutomu Yamazaki as Ginjiro Takeuchi, Medical Intern

Toshiro Mifune is unforgettable as Kingo Gondo, a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a cold-blooded kidnapper in High and Low (Tengoku to jigoku), the highly influential domestic drama and police procedural from director Akira Kurosawa. Adapting Ed McBain’s detective novel King’s Ransom, Kurosawa moves effortlessly from compelling race-against-time thriller to exacting social commentary, creating a diabolical treatise on contemporary Japanese society.

Another fantastic film from legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and a wonderful performance by Toshiro Mifune!  A film that will truly have you at the edge of your seat!

“Tengoku to Jigoku” (which translates to “Heaven and Hell” but is known internationally as “High and Low”) is a 1963 film that features another collaboration with actor Toshiro Mifune and is a film adaptation of Ed McBain’s novel “Kings Ransom” that would focus on how one can become blackmailed despite not having direct involvement with a kidnapping.

The film also is a statement from Kurosawa as children in Japan during the early ’60s were being kidnapped and murdered and showing his distaste towards the Japanese law in which criminals would only get a few years of incarceration.

With the film having been released in the late ’90s on DVD by the Criterion Collection, the film was re-released with more special features and a better transfer in 2008.  So, here we are in 2011 and “High and Low” receives its Blu-ray release courtesy of the Criterion Collection, the first HD release of the title in America.

“High and Low” begins with an executive named Kingo Gondo (played by Toshiro Mifune).   He is visited by the head executives of National Shoes, the company he works for and oversees quality control.

But the executives are concerned about their profits and want Gondo to release cheap, low-quality shoes in order to have more women buy more shoes.  Meanwhile, the president and owner of the company wants to focus on quality but continue to release shoes that no longer fashionable.

So, the executives come up with a plan to use their clout and join forces because the own shares of the company and oust the president of National Shoes.

But Gondo believes that in order for National Shoes to survive, quality control must be kept but also to incorporate modern fashion sense.  But the executives disagree.  They try to entice him with being second-in-command of National Shoes if he joins them and oust the President but for Gondo, he is unwilling to let the company release low-quality shoes.  He has pride in the company and its shoes and only wants what is best for the consumer, something that his fellow executives don’t believe in.

After an angry exchange, Gondo’s wife Reiko (played by Kyoko Kagawa) wants to know why he was arguing with his co-workers.  But Gondo smirks and tells her and his secretary Kawanishi (played by Tatsuya Mihashi) that he has a plan just in case the executives try to oust him.

But while he tries to explain, his son Jun (dressed like a cowboy) and his friend Shinichi (who happens to be Gondo’s chauffer’s son) begin playing with each other and are told to play outside.  Before Jun and Shinichi go out, June lets Shinichi wear his cowboy outfit.

As Gondo explains to his wife and Kawanishi, he tells them that the reason why he is confident that he would win against the executives is because he has been buying shares of the company for the last three years.  And he has literally took out a significant loan to purchase shares from others and using his home as collateral in order to become the largest shareholder of the company.

All that needs to be done is for Kawanishi to go and deposit the check for 500 million yen and National Shoes will be his company.

But before Gondo can celebrate, he receives a phone call from a kidnapper who tells him that he has his son and if he wants his son to be alive, he would have to pay 30 million yen.  Worried that his son is kidnapped, Gondo knows the money is important for him to get control of National Shoes or else, he will be the executive ousted.  The kidnapper gives him time to think about the arrangement which must be done quite soon.

As both Gondo and his wife worry about Jun, Jun shows up in the house.  So, Gondo wonders if the call he received was a prank call.  Meanwhile, Shinichi’s father has come to pick him up but to find out that he is gone.

Both Gondo and his wife realize that Jun and Shinichi have switched outfits and that the kidnapper actually took his chauffeur’s son.

Gondo calls the police and because the police expect that the kidnapper may be monitoring them, they pretend to be working for a delivery company.

What the police needs is to tape the kidnapper talking but for Gondo to talk to the kidnapper long enough in order to trace the call.  But when the kidnapper calls, the kidnapper realizes that he took the wrong child but still, the kidnapper has leverage over him and he needs to know if Gondo will be bringing the 30 million yen and if Gondo refuses, the kidnapper warns him that if he doesn’t comply, the child is dead.

And this leads to a struggle for Gondo as he had worked hard all these years at National Shoes but now he is within moments of buying and taking control of the company thus ensuring their livelihood.

But Gondo’s wife can’t bare the guilt if Shinichi dies,  because she feels that the only reason Shinichi was kidnapped was because they were going after their son Jun.  So, she wants him to save Shinichi because a human life is more important than money and prestige.

Even Shinichi’s father begs Gondo to please save his child.  But Gondo is torn because he sacrificed a lot and is taking a risky chance of losing everything.

Everyone knows that Gondo is in a difficult predicament and no one is sure what he will do.  As for the police, they learn quickly that the kidnapper is not only bright but he must live nearby because knows something is going on inside the house.

The lead investigator understand Gondo’s predicament but probably the best way to capture this kidnapper is for Gondo to pay the ransom and just buy them time by telling the kidnapper that he will pay.

Put in a tight position, what will Gondo do?  Will he stick with his original plan of using his money to buy the shares of National Shoes and takeover the company and have a child die or will he help the child buy paying the ransom money and losing everything?

The phone rings and the kidnapper wants to know his answer.  What will Gondo do next?

The second half of the film features the police going after the kidnapper.  Determined to catch the criminal, we watch as the police force in action, from collecting evidence and doing all they can to make sure that he is caught.  Meanwhile, the kidnapper has now ventured into homicide and because he is quite bright, the investigator’s know they must be careful in catching this criminal.  Especially due to Japan’s law towards kidnappers (kidnappers only serve five years in prison), the police will do whatever it takes to make sure he serves the time for the crimes he committed.

VIDEO:

“High and Low” is presented  in 1080p High Definition (2:35:1 aspect ratio).  As one would expect from a Blu-ray compared to a DVD version, you get more detail, better clarity and solid contrast.

But for those who upgraded or purchased the 2008 re-release, the 2008 DVD was a pretty big difference as the Criterion Collection had improved their digital remastering and also with newer technology, were able to do a much better job in cleaning the video and audio.  For the 2011 Blu-ray release, you literally see details much clearly.

Yes, the black levels continue to be nice and inky black, the grays and the white contrast levels look impeccable and also less blur and more detail in the faces of the characters.  We know that the characters are feeling hot and sweaty during the humid weather but we now see it clearly with the bead of sweat on the faces of the detectives.   The textures of the clothing or even the fabric on Gondo’s walls, you can sense it.  You can see sheen off of Gondo’s hair, you can see the detail of the wood on his bathroom door.

And the picture quality, it looked much cleaner and yes, while it uses the same 2008 source, the fact that its HD makes a big difference in the film’s overall PQ.

For those wondering why the film shows B&W and color, it’s because the primary film is black and white but there is one scene where color is utilized.

According to the Criterion Collection, this high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit 4K Datacine from a 35 mm fine-grain master positive and for the color sequence, a 35 mm interpositive.  Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter and flicker were manually removed using MTI’s DRS system and Pixel Farm’s PFClean system, while Digital Vision’s DVNR system was used for small dirt, grain and noise reduction.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“High and Low” is presented with a lossless LPCM 4.0 surround soundtrack.  The dialogue is incredibly clear and it’s great to have a DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 soundtrack which gives us a solid balance of crystal clear dialogue, clear music and more clearer ambiance than the previous DVD release.

According to the Criterion Collection, “High and Low” was remastered at 24-bit from the original 4-track stems.  Clicks, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD.  Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“High and Low – The Criterion Collection #24″ on Blu-ray comes with the following special features:

• Audio commentary – Featuring an audio commentary by Akira Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince.
• Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create – (37:02) A thirty-seven minute documentary on the making of “High and Low”, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series “Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create”.
• Toshiro Mifune – (30:31) A rare video interview with actor Toshiro Mifune from 1981′s TV Asahi show “Tetsuko no Heya” (Tetsuko’s Room) as he is interviewed by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi about his international roles that were coming a the time, how the military photographer became an actor and more.
• Tsutomu Yamazaki – (19:03) A Criterion Collection exclusive video interview with actor Tsutomu Yamazaki (who plays the kidnapper) about how he got cast, working with Kurosawa and his role in the film.
• Trailers – Japanese Trailer – (3:38), Japanese teaser (1:54) and US Trailer (1:43)

EXTRAS:

“High and Low – The Criterion Collection #24″ comes with a 38-page booklet which includes the following essays “Between Heaven and Hell” by Geoffrey O’Brien and “On the Set of High and Low” by Donald Richie.

“High and Low” is an addictive, riveting and a fantastic film that will captivate you from beginning to end!

For those who are only familiar with Kurosawa samurai films, I have no doubt in my mind that they will enjoy “High and Low” and be captivated by the the cinematography (Kurosawa utilizes the spacing in the film wonderfully) and also performances by Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai and Kyoko Nakagawa.

The film’s original title is “Tengoku to Jigoku” which literally means “Heaven and Hell”.  The storyline of “High and Low” is presented in two connected storylines as “Tengoku” (Heaven/High) is depicted on the Gondo’s home on top of the hill.  Right outside of the home, lurking below is where the poor live and characterized by others as “Jigoku” (hell/low).

The first part of the film takes place in what the poor may think is “Jigoku”, being rich and in heaven.  While the first half of the storyline focuses primarily inside the house of Gondo, everything is shot in the house, from Gondo’s meeting with the executives, where the police are camping out in hopes to trace the call from the kidnapper and where discussion and arguments of what Gondo should do take place in the living room of the home.

The second half of the film focuses on the detectives doing all they can to capture the kidnapper and we are given a glimpse of the world of the kidnapper.

But the prevailing theme is very Kurosawa.  There is always a sense of a character who is admirable and determined and undeterred.  Gondo is an everyman who works for the people, he may be an executive but he prides himself on the quality of his shoes and will not let any other executive exploit the company for their own selfish reasons.  Throughout the first half of the film, we witness his struggle because he literally sacrificed everything, including his home in order to take control of the company, which he is doing it not just for his family but to ensure that the company makes quality shoes for the women who wear them.  But he knows the risks that sacrificing a child to move up in the corporate ladder can also mean his doom.

But we know that losing all the money to pay off the ransom will not only save the child but it will definitely lead the family and Gondo to financial ruin and because the amount is so high, it would lead his family to eternal debt.

And that is the intriguing factor that Kurosawa felt about Ed McBain’s novel “King’s Ransom”.  The fact that the protagonist is being blackmailed by a kidnapper who kidnap a child that is not even his but yet affects his life greatly, rendering this powerful man to now becoming powerless.  Whichever decision he makes, it appears to be a double-edge sword.

But by the second half of the film, we see the hard work that goes into helping Gondo by finding the kidnapper.  The kidnapper vs. the police storyline becomes the main focus of the second half.

And for those not familiar with Japanese pop culture and entertainment, the images of a large police force working together for the same cause continues in television and film today as seen in the popular drama and film series”Odoru Daisousassen” (Tokyo Bay Shakedown).  Whereas in a western film, we can see two or a handful of officers wanting to help the victim, in Japanese cinema, its the camaraderie of all officers (including from different precincts) willing to work together.

The other topic which Kurosawa was also trying to drive home was his feelings of Japan’s leniency in their laws for kidnappers.  In the ’60s, children in Japan were kidnapped and murdered.  Today, many still have issues with Japanese law towards kidnapping, stalking and people not paying the price for the severity of the crime.

This is emphasized in how the police will catch the kidnapper in “High and Low” and it is really clever writing and expose it to a mass audience in hopes to have changes in Japanese law.  Today, Japan is a believer in “rehabilitation” and in some cases, keeping these criminals incarcerated for a short time rather than keeping one behind-bars and serving a long sentence.

In “High and Low”, we get to see police and press work together in capturing the criminal.  But times have changed in Japan to the point that times have changed in Japan as seen in the Japanese 2000 TV Asahi drama series “Tsugumi e” in which a kidnapper kills the child of a couple and the family is literally victimized by the police and press.

But there is no denying the efficacy of Kurosawa’s “High and Low”, especially with its powerful final scene which I rather not spoil for everyone.   Ever since I watched this film many years ago, the confrontation between Gondo and the kidnapper was brilliant and despite Kurosawa shooting various endings for the film, his decision to stay with both men, one-on-one was correct.

So, now we come down to the question for those who purchase the 2008 DVD re-releae of “High and Low” and whether or not its worth it to upgrade to Blu-ray.

For some people, there must be something additional added to a release in order for one to upgrade and for “High and Low”, in terms of special features, there is nothing new that has been added.  But it comes down to one’s appreciation of watching a wonderful film from a legendary filmmaker in HD.  Do you want the definitive version of “High and Low”?  Then you definitely want to upgrade to Blu-ray because it looks spectacular on Blu-ray and the audio quality is crystal clear.

Overall, It’s great to have more Akira Kurosawa on Blu-ray courtesy of the Criterion Collection and for those who were only exposed to Kurosawa’s samurai films will no doubt find a reason to be curious about “High and Low” as the first Criterion Collection Kurosawa release that is not a samurai film.

But if you are a cineaste who enjoys great cinema, especially a film that grabs your attention from beginning to end, then this Blu-ray is simply a no-brainer and is a definite must-buy.

“High and Low – The Criterion Collection #24″ on Blu-ray is highly recommended!

 

DROP (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Violent, bloody and hilarious, “DROP” may not be a film for everyone, but for those who want a Japanese youth gang film with a lot of fighting and humor, will definitely enjoy this film and DVD!

Image courtesy of © 2009 “DROP” Film Partners. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: DROP

DURATION: 125 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9, Dolby Digital (English Stereo), Closed Caption

COMPANY: Kadokawa Pictures/FUNimation Entertainment

RATED:  TV MA

RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2011

Directed by Hiroshi Shinagawa

Biography and Screenplay by Hiroshi Shinagawa

Produced by Shigeo Minakami

Music by Kan Sawada

Cinematography by Masayuki Fujii

Edited by Hiroshi Sunaga

Art Direction by Shohei Ishikawa, Norihiro Isoda

Starring:

Hiroki Narimiya as Hiroshi Shinanogawa

Hiro Mizushima as Tatsuya Iguchi

Yuika Motokariya as Miyuki

Yusuke Kamiji as Hideo Kimura

Noriko Nakagoshi as Yuka Shinanogawa

Yuji Ayabe as Yutaka Anjo

Drawn to the hardcore life of a delinquent, Hiroshi drops out of his upscale private school and enrolls in a gritty public school. On his first day he gets his ass kicked by Tatsuya, the son of an ex-yakuza and the leader of a pack of unruly thugs. Hiroshi sucks at fighting, but he hits it off with the crew and enjoys the reckless partying, smoking, and boozing. Can he still hang when a rivalry with a nasty biker gang turns into countless face-breaking brawls? When the allure of a wasted youth is pitted against the reality of growing up, some people would rather take a beating than stop the fun.

When it comes to films on Japanese youth gangs, these have been depicted on Japanese manga and anime series to video games.

Typically gangs beating the crap out of each other, from “Durarara!!”, “Yu Yu Hakusho” to “Cromartie High School” and video games such as “River City Ransom” (Kunio Series), “Rival Schools”, “King of Fighters” and “Kenka Bancho”, it’s part of Japanese life and pop culture.

Unlike America which tries to stay away from constant storylines of youth violence, for westerners, being exposed to Japanese pop culture, you learn quickly that its part of Japanese mainstream.  But while the violence tends to stay in the pages of manga, the tv screen for anime and video games, whenever you come across a live action film showcasing these youth gangs, you often wonder how “manga-like” and how “violent” these films will go.

And here we are with Hiroshi Shinagawa’s (“Beck”, “Manzai Gang”, “Suspect X”) 2009 film “DROP”.

The film revolves around an emerging troublemaker named Hiroshi Shinanogawa (played by Hiroki Narimiya, “Azumi”, “Nana”, “Bakamono”).  An anime/manga fan (as shown by his knowledge of anime and action figures in his bedroom) who has changed his life by shaving his hair and dying it red.

One day, Hiroshi is taken to the field area by a group of guys which include the strategist Mohiki, the thief Lufin and biter named Wanko to see their leader named Tatsuya Iguchi (played by Hiro Mizushima, “Mr. Brain, “Beck”) kicking another gang member’s butt.

Not knowing why they brought him out to the field, he quickly realizes that it’s to fight the street brawler Tatsuya.

As Hiroshi and Tatsuya fight, Tatsuya always has the upper hand and beating Hiroshi to a pulp.  Bloody and hurt, Tatsuya respects Hiroshi and asks him to join him and his gang to get something to eat.  And sure enough, Hiroshi obliges.

Now with new friends, Hiroshi gets into the wrong crowd and is constantly fighting with other gangs.

But when they start fighting with a rival gang day-by-day, it starts to grow old and Hiroshi decides to play with fire by reuniting the gangs together and similar to how Goku teamed up with Piccolo in “Dragon Ball Z”, they can do the same!

Fortunately, by joining forces with the rival gang, it starts to catch other gang’s attention and Hiroshi starts to realize that his life is starting to change and he becomes more interested in the brotherhood of his gang rather than working, being responsible and being there for family and friends.

When Hiroshi is given the opportunity to change his life by getting a job, will he do so?  Or will he continue to get deeper and deeper in brawls and fights along with the gang?

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“DROP” is presented in 16:9 widescreen and English and Japanese stereo.  Picture quality is very good on DVD, considering it’s a 2009 film but I wouldn’t be surprised if FUNimation considers this title for Blu-ray release in the near future.

But I did watch the film both in Japanese and English.  While my preference is watching films in their original language and the acting is well-done, I will say that “DROP” was the first film I watched with its English dub and felt that it didn’t suck!  So, for those who can’t read subtitled films, these people will be happy to know that the dubwork for the film is good.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

There are no special features.

EXTRAS:

“DROP” comes with a cardboard slipcover case.

Violent, bloody and hilarious, “DROP” may not be a film for everyone, but for those who want a Japanese youth gang film with a lot of fighting and humor, will definitely enjoy this film!

Many have wondered what if those manga, anime and video game titles with gangs beating the crap out of each other was featured in a film, then “DROP” would be the answer!  While anime may show the bruises and distorted faces of the gangs getting in fights, “DROP” shows you the violence with bloodied faces, bruises and all!

Granted, the film is farfetched and in this film and because of that, it definitely helps to capture that anime/manga-like feel, these gang members despite how injured they may be, continue to fight and it almost becomes a daily routine.

For those looking for any major plot, you have main protagonist Hiroshi falling for Tatsuya’s ex-girlfriend Miyuki but  things don’t really get deep until the final half hour of the film.  In a way, the sudden turn of events comes out of left field and the pacing of the film seems a bit ajar because of it.  But the overall film is about how Hiroshi gets deeper with his fellow gang members and the brotherhood gets him too preoccupied with life and responsibilities.  It’s a learning process and the only way Hiroshi will learn is through tragedy.

While the film does have a lot of hilarious moments, those moments were necessary in trying to prevent “DROP” from becoming too dark and bloody as there are many bloody moments in the film.   Anime and manga fans will definitely enjoy the references that Hiroshi drops during the film and for longtime anime/manga/video game fans who are used to the gang fights, will probably enjoy this film a lot!

As for the DVD, I wish there were special features but I was surprised to find out that there are none.  No making-of, no featurette, nothing.

So, you get a straight up barebones DVD release but for the film, if you are into Japanese youth gang-driven storylines and are familiar with anime/manga/video games that do showcase them, more than likely this film will be for you.  But just remember that where the manga and anime give you a visual look of the characters after the brawl, “DROP” goes even further and showing the violence and bloody mess that these characters are in.  So, if you gag at the sight of blood, this film is not for you.

 

The Makioka Sisters – The Criterion Collection #567 (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“The Makioka Sisters” is a beautiful, straight-forward film directed by Kon Ichikawa based on one of Japan’s most beloved novel by Junichiro Tanizaki.  A wonderful study of a once wealthy family now in decline and a family of sisters who put marriage as a priority in order to ensure their economic status for their family’s future.  But will the two younger sisters ever get married?

Image courtesy of © 1983 Toho Co., Ltd. 2011 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: The Makioka Sisters – The Criterion Collection #567 (Sasame-yuki)

YEAR OF FILM: 1983

DURATION: 140 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:85:1 Aspect Ratio), Color, Monaural, Japanese with English Subtitles

COMPANY: Janus Films/THE CRITERION COLLECTION

RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011

Novel by Junichiro Tanizaki

Directed by Kon Ichikawa

Written by Shinya Hidaka, Kon Ichikawa

Executive Producer: Kon Ichikawa, Tomoyuki Tanaka

Original Music by Shinnosuke Okawa, Toshiyuki Watanabe

Cinematography by Kiyoshi Hasegawa

Edited by Chizuko Osada

Production Design by Shinobu Muraki

Starring:

Keiko Kishi as Tsuruko Makioka

Yoshiko Sakuma as Sachiko Makioka

Sayuri Yoshinaga as Yukiko Makioka

Yuko Kotegawa as Taeko Makioka

Juzo Itami as Tatsuo, Tsuruko’s Husband

Koji Ishizaka as Teinosuke, Sachiko’s Husband

Toshiyuki Hosokawa as Hashidera

Ittoku Kishibe as Itakura

Takenori Emoto as Higashiya

Jun Hamamura as Otokichi

Jun Hashizume as Soldier

Akiji Kobayashi as Seitaro Jinba

Kazuya Kosaka as Nomura

This lyrical adaptation of the beloved novel by Junichiro Tanizaki was a late-career triumph for director Kon Ichikawa. Structured around the changing of the seasons, The Makioka Sisters (Sasame-yuki) follows the lives of four siblings who have taken on their family’s kimono manufacturing business, in the years leading up to the Pacific War. The two oldest have been married for some time, but according to tradition, the rebellious youngest sister cannot wed until the third, conservative and terribly shy, finds a husband. This graceful study of a family at a turning point in history is a poignant evocation of changing times and fading customs, shot in rich, vivid colors.

Known as the “The greatest cosmopolitan novel since the Meiji restoration”,  Junichiro Tanizaki’s serial novel “The Makioka Sisters” (Sasameyuki) is an important novel for Japanese culture.  Many of the events that took place during the time of 1936-1941 in Japan is featured in the book, from the Kobe Flood of 1938, the Sino-Japanese War, the escalating tension of Europe and the building up to what would be World War II.

But at the time, the book was seen as daring, especially for Japanese censors who wanted the novel’s publication to be halted as they felt the novel was depicting soft, effeminate and individualistic lives of women during wartime Japan.

Fast forward to over 40-years later and Kon Ichikawa (“47 Romin”, “Tokyo Olympiad”, “Alone on the Pacific”) would take on a film adaptation of the popular serial novel.  The film can be seen as a compressed version focusing on a primary time period between the sisters believing in marriage as an economic necessity.  Ichikawa chooses not to focus on the other dramatic events from the book, especially the great Kobe flood of 1938.

“The Makioka Sisters” is a film that follows a wealthy family based in Osaka, but the family’s wealth has started to decline and thus, the family starts to take more interest in the lives of the Makioka daughters and the marriage proposals they receive.

The film consists of eldest sister Tsuruko (played by Keiko Ishii) who is the oldest sister and the narration follows her letters to her sisters.  Tsuruko lives in the “main” Makioka house in Osaka and is quite distant from her sisters who live in Ashiya.  Tsuruko is married to Tatsuo (played by Juzo Itami) who has taken the Makioka name.   Tatsuo is the master of the Makioka main branch and he is also a bank employee.  The other Makioka sisters find him quite boring.

At the branch house in Ashiya is where the second oldest sister Sachiko (played by Yoshiko Sakuma) and her husband Teinosuke (played by Koji Ishizaka) lives.  Similar to Tatsuo, Teinosuke also has taken the Makioka name. Teinosuke is an accountant but he is a man who embraces the arts, loves poetry and letter writing but also, a sense that he wouldn’t mind being with Sachiko’s younger sister Yukiko.

Living with them are the two younger Makioka sisters, Yukiko (played by Sayuri Yoshinaga) and Taeko (played by Yuko Kotegawa) who are both unmarried.

For Yukiko, her being unmarried is an inconvenience as she is going in her 30s and she is very shy.  What is interesting is that all marriage proposals that were asked of her during the family’s prominence were turned down and now that the family in not so great financial shape, they noticed that hardly anyone is proposing.

As for Taeko, she can’t get married to Okubata until Yuko is married and she is also very different compared to her sisters in the fact that she embraces Western culture, smokes cigarettes and is literally the black sheep of the family that walks to the beat of her own drum, and she does this because Yuko must get married first, before she can and because of this, it frustrates Taeko.

“The Makioka Sisters” is a film that showcases a wealthy Japanese family that has lost prestige but also features the importance of Japanese marriage and a glimpse of traditional Japanese women and the differing styles and mannerisms of each sister and their different lives.  But the film also shows us the decline of a Japanese family, the growing poverty and poor economy that plagued Japan at that time.  Also, seeing a change within culture.

VIDEO:

“The Makioka Sisters” is presented in its original aspect ration of 1:85:1.  The picture quality is absolutely beautiful.  I’ve watched this film only on VHS but it’s great to see how good this film looks for a 1983 film.  Although not the most vibrant film from the early ’80s on Blu-ray, the film is quite colorful and there is also a pretty good layer of grain.   Skin tones are natural, clothing show a good amount of detail and black levels are good.

According to the Criterion Collection, this new HD digital transfer was created on a C-Reality Datacine with Oliver wetgate processing from a 35 mm low-contrast print struck from the original camera negative.  Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, spices, warps, jitter and flicker were manually removed using MTI’s DRS system and Pixel Farm’s PFClean sytem, while Digital Vision’s DVNR system was used for small dirt, grain and noise reduction.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Makioka Sisters” is presented in monaural Japanese with English subtitles.  Dialogue is clear and the subtitles are easy to read.  I detected no hiss or any problems with the audio.

According to the Criterion Collection, the monaural soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the optical track print.  Clicks, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD.  Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Makioka Sisters – The Criterion Collection #567″ on Blu-ray comes with the following special features:

• Trailer -  The original theatrical trailer of “The Makioka Sisters”.

EXTRAS:

“The Makioka Sisters” comes with a  20-page booklet featuring the following essay “Of Love and Money” by Audie Bock.

When I was attending college and getting my minor in Japanese, one of my professor’s was a feminist who fought for the rights of Japanese women when she was younger and wanted us to see Japan in a different light. Especially of how Japanese women were treated. And she felt that if there was one film we had to watch in class, it was “The Makioka Sisters”.

Although at the time,  as a student, I never knew the importance of the film, nor was I aware of how the novel version captured Japanese readers.   And to find out how significant the book was as it featured details of an era of Japan that was well-documented in the book, but for the film and Ichikawa’s focus on the concept of marriage, it would make an impact on viewers.

Watching it today, what I did feel about the film is a reminiscence of a time of filmmaking especially based on the traditional Japanese family reminiscent of classic Yasujiro Ozu filmmaking.  Filmmaking that focused on family life, marriage and diminishing social status.  In this case, there is a bit of a twist as many movies tend to focus on Tokyo, in this case, it’s Osaka and for those not familiar with Tokyo (Kanto) and Osaka (Kansai) in the west, you can possibly compare it to those in Los Angeles vs. those in New York.  Different styles, different dialect and if you go to Japan, you will always hear from those in Tokyo of how Osaka is like this and vice versa of how Tokyo is like that.

In the case of “The Makioka Sisters”, the pride of a once wealthy family in Osaka is what is at stake.    And what I found so unique about the film was how it focused not on the family and parents but the conflict among sisters, their thoughts of status in hopes that one of their sisters can get married, in fact, all sisters are able to get married.  What Kon Ichikawa manages with great efficacy is balancing the development of each character, making us feel the conflict and highlighting the personal struggle.

Although I have not read the book and I have been told many times that the great Kobe flood of 1938 are not featured in the film, the film focuses on the personal and possibly a political statement from Ichikawa about the differences between Kanto and Kansai culture.  Before watching this movie, our professor felt it was very important for us to know the cultural difference between the two big metropolitan areas of Japan, similar in some ways but very different than others.  People are different in Tokyo vs. Osaka and in the case of “The Makioka Sisters”, Tokyo is where decline is happening and Osaka is where one tries to uphold tradition, if they can.

I also have to credit the cinematography of Kiyoshi Hasegawa, known more for his sci-fi cinematography for “Godzilla vs. Gigan” and even “Samurai Reincarnation” to name a few, Ichikawa and Hasegawa make sure they are able to showcase the beauty of the Makioka home, the beauty of Japan during the spring for the cherry blossoms and capturing the beauty of Japan of yesteryear, despite being shot in 1983.    The visual style, saturated colors look incredibly beautiful, especially this Blu-ray transfer courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

Criterion Collection fans will notice that the price of “The Makioka Sisters” is one of their lower priced Blu-ray titles and that is because the release does not come with any special features but the theatrical trailer.  Fortunately, a 20-page booklet is included.

While the film may not be as deep as classic family struggle films if compared to the classic films from Ozu, Naruse and Kurosawa, the film is gorgeous and the story is realistic, clear and a film that is pretty much straightforward without any major surprises. As mentioned, the novel has much more to offer than the film as it focuses on the Makioka sisters from 1936-1941, the movie version primarily focuses on 1938.  So, as the novel has more to feature in terms of what was happening in Japan during that time, focusing on both Osaka and Ashiya homes sans the great flood, by no means is this film weak.

Similar to how I felt back in college and more of an appreciation of the film now, “The Makioka Sisters” makes these characters quite real, especially seeing the rebellious side of Taeko Makioka and the shyness of Yukiko.  But how each of these women are very much different in many ways.  Especially from the older sisters versus their younger siblings.  The film has a good balance of humor and melodrama but for the most part, I enjoyed the film.

I enjoyed how “The Makioka Sisters” focuses on how Japan at the time, what families did for economic survival. A big difference when compared to Japan today when many couples are divorcing and many married couples are not having children (a great concern for Japan as the percentage of children born in Japan continues to shrink).

Overall, “The Makioka Sisters” is a delightful film that is melodramatic, straight-forward and beautiful to watch.  But just don’t come into this film with high expectations of anything too deep or else you will be disappointed.

 

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